Search

Abstract Background Static or motion manual palpation of the low back is commonly used to assess pain location and reproduction in low back pain (LBP) patients. The purpose of this study is to review the reliability and validity of manual palpation used for the assessment of LBP in adults. Method We systematically searched five databases from 2000 to 2019. We critically appraised internal validity of studies using QAREL and QUADAS-2 instruments. We stratified results using best-evidence synthesis. Validity studies were classified according to Sackett and Haynes. Results We identified 2023 eligible articles, of which 14 were low risk of bias. Evidence suggests that reliability of soft tissue structures palpation is inconsistent, and reliability of bony structures and joint mobility palpation is poor. We found preliminary evidence that gluteal muscle palpation for tenderness may be valid in differentiating LBP patients with and without radiculopathy. Conclusion Reliability of manual palpation tests in the assessment of LBP patients varies greatly. This is problematic because these tests are commonly used by manual therapists and clinicians. Little is known about the validity of these tests; therefore, their clinical utility is uncertain. High quality validity studies are needed to inform the clinical use of manual palpation tests.

Background Static or motion manual palpation of the low back is commonly used to assess pain location and reproduction in low back pain (LBP) patients. The purpose of this study is to review the reliability and validity of manual palpation used for the assessment of LBP in adults. Method We systematically searched five databases from 2000 to 2019. We critically appraised internal validity of studies using QAREL and QUADAS-2 instruments. We stratified results using best-evidence synthesis. Validity studies were classified according to Sackett and Haynes. Results We identified 2023 eligible articles, of which 14 were low risk of bias. Evidence suggests that reliability of soft tissue structures palpation is inconsistent, and reliability of bony structures and joint mobility palpation is poor. We found preliminary evidence that gluteal muscle palpation for tenderness may be valid in differentiating LBP patients with and without radiculopathy. Conclusion Reliability of manual palpation tests in the assessment of LBP patients varies greatly. This is problematic because these tests are commonly used by manual therapists and clinicians. Little is known about the validity of these tests; therefore, their clinical utility is uncertain. High quality validity studies are needed to inform the clinical use of manual palpation tests.

Background: Whether the clinical presentation and in particular prevalence of symptoms and signs of heart failure (HF) is different in elderly versus younger patients and in those with reduced (HFrEF) versus preserved (HFpEF) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a matter of ongoing debate. Aims: To compare detailed clinical characteristics of these important subgroups and to develop a prediction rule for the differentiation of HFpEF and HFrEF based on clinical parameters. Methods: The analysis was based on the Trial of Intensified versus standard Medical therapy in Elderly patients with Congestive Heart Failure (TIME-CHF) comprising 622 patients >= 60 years with HF including the whole LVEF spectrum. Results: In the groups >= 75 years and with HFpEF typical symptoms and clinical signs of HF were more prevalent as compared to those < 75 years or with HFrEF, respectively. The burden of comorbidities was higher in the older age group. HFrEF could not be differentiated from HFpEF by symptom history and clinical examination alone. However, a combination of age, presence of pulmonary rales, systolic blood pressure, cause of heart failure, osteoporosis, current smoking, NT-proBNP, haemoglobin, QRS width and heart rhythm allowed to identify HFrEF versus HFpEF with a sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 90% (c-statistics 0.91). Conclusions: More symptoms and signs of HF were present both in the older age group and in patients with HFpEF. HFpEF versus HFrEF could be differentiated by a set of simple clinical, laboratory and ECG parameters but not by symptom history and physical examination alone.

Objective Early onset sepsis (EOS) remains a serious and potentially fatal illness. We aimed to demonstrate that serial clinical observation (SCO) is a feasible strategy associated with fewer laboratory evaluations and unnecessary antibiotic use. Study design We compared the admissions and antibiotic therapy in neonates >= 35 weeks' gestation at risk for EOS in a prospective cohort after the implementation of a new protocol based on SCO (n = 381) with a historical cohort which received laboratory testing (n = 417). Results There was a significant reduction in admissions for suspected sepsis (7.2% vs 2.9%, p = 0.006) and the use of antibiotics (6.1% vs 0.7%, p = 0.000) in the cohort based on SCO. There was no delay in diagnosis. Conclusions SCO in neonates >= 35 weeks' gestation at risk for EOS, including chorioamnionitis-exposed infants, is a feasible measure that reduces laboratory evaluations and the overuse of antibiotics respecting the bonding mother-infant.

Background Syncope is a frequent reason for referral to the emergency department. After excluding a potentially life-threatening condition, the second objective is to find the cause of syncope. The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the treating physician in usual practice and to compare this to the diagnostic accuracy of a standardised evaluation, consisting of thorough history taking and physical examination by a research physician. Methods This prospective cohort study included suspected (pre) syncope patients without an identified serious underlying condition who were assessed in the emergency department. Patients were initially seen by the initial treating physician and the usual evaluation was performed. A research physician, blinded to the findings of the initial treating physician, then performed a standardised evaluation according to the ESC syncope guidelines. Diagnostic accuracy (proportion of correct diagnoses) was determined by expert consensus after long-term follow-up. Results One hundred and one suspected (pre) syncope patients were included (mean age 59 ± 20 years). The usual practice of the initial treating physicians did not in most cases follow ESC syncope guidelines, with orthostatic blood pressure measurements made in only 40% of the patients. Diagnostic accuracy by the initial treating physicians was 65% (95% CI 56–74%), while standardised evaluation resulted in a diagnostic accuracy of 80% (95% CI 71–87%; p = 0.009). No life-threatening causes were missed. Conclusions Usual practice of the initial treating physician resulted in a diagnostic accuracy of 65%, while standardised practice, with an emphasis on thorough history taking, increased diagnostic accuracy to 80%. Results suggest that the availability of additional resources does not result in a higher diagnostic accuracy than standardised evaluation, and that history taking is the most important diagnostic test in suspected syncope patients. Netherlands Trial Registration: NTR5651. Registered 29 January 2016,https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/5532

The International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) has published evidence-based guidelines on the prevention and management of diabetic foot disease since 1999. This guideline is on the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of peripheral artery disease (PAD) in patients with foot ulcers and diabetes and updates the previous IWGDF Guideline. Up to 50% of patients with diabetes and foot ulceration have concurrent PAD, which confers a significantly elevated risk of adverse limb events and cardiovascular disease. We know that the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of these patients are markedly different to patients with diabetes who do not have PAD and yet there are few good quality studies addressing this important subset of patients. We followed the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology to devise clinical questions and critically important outcomes in the patient-intervention-comparison-outcome (PICO) format, to conduct a systematic review of the medical-scientific literature, and to write recommendations and their rationale. The recommendations are based on the quality of evidence found in the systematic review, expert opinion where evidence was not available, and a weighing of the benefits and harms, patient preferences, feasibility and applicability, and costs related to the intervention. We here present the updated 2019 guidelines on diagnosis, prognosis, and management of PAD in patients with a foot ulcer and diabetes, and we suggest some key future topics of particular research interest.

This article in our point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) series discusses the benefits of focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) for the regional anesthesiologist and pain specialist. Focused cardiac US is an important tool for all anesthesiologists assessing patients with critical conditions such as shock and cardiac arrest. However, given that ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia is emerging as the new standard of care, there is an expanding role for ultrasound in the perioperative setting for regional anesthesiologists to help improve patient assessment and management. In addition to providing valuable insight into cardiac physiology (preload, afterload, and myocardial contractility), FoCUS can also be used either to assess patients at risk of complications related to regional anesthetic technique or to improve management of patients undergoing regional anesthesia care. Preoperatively, FoCUS can be used to assess patients for significant valvular disease, such as severe aortic stenosis or derangements in volume status before induction of neuraxial anesthesia. Intraoperatively, FoCUS can help differentiate among complications related to regional anesthesia, including high spinal or local anesthetic toxicity resulting in hemodynamic instability or cardiac arrest. Postoperatively, FoCUS can help diagnose and manage common yet life-threatening complications such as pulmonary embolism or derangements in volume status. In this article, we introduce to the regional anesthesiologist interested in learning FoCUS the basic views (subcostal 4-chamber, subcostal inferior vena cava, parasternal short axis, parasternal long axis, and apical 4-chamber), as well as the relevant sonoanatomy. We will also use the I-AIM (Indication, Acquisition, Interpretation, and Medical decision making) framework to describe the clinical circumstances where FoCUS can help identify and manage obvious pathology relevant to the regional anesthesiologist and pain specialist, specifically severe aortic stenosis, hypovolemia, local anesthetic systemic toxicity, and massive pulmonary embolism.

The ideal pathway of care for heart failure patients is a key feature of this consensus document. It offers a pathway of care that is the foundation from which to assess barriers that are context-specific.The roadblocks and potential solutions to patient care are offered based on key stages of the patient care pathway. They have been accumulated from previous WHF Roadmaps, built on the experience of the core writing group, and based on consensus and feedback from a wider survey process.Evidence-based solutions to specific roadblocks are offered in tables within the document. The barriers to care are offered from the highest rated barriers from the WHF Survey on the Heart Failure Roadmap and from 146 experts.

Recommendations Examine a patient with diabetes annually for the presence of peripheral artery disease (PAD); this should include, at a minimum, taking a history and palpating foot pulses. (GRADE strength of recommendation: strong; quality of evidence: low) Evaluate a patient with diabetes and a foot ulcer for the presence of PAD. Determine, as part of this examination, ankle or pedal Doppler arterial waveforms; measure both ankle systolic pressure and systolic ankle brachial index (ABI). (strong; low) We recommend the use of bedside non-invasive tests to exclude PAD. No single modality has been shown to be optimal. Measuring ABI (with In patients with a foot ulcer in diabetes and PAD, no specific symptoms or signs of PAD reliably predict healing of the ulcer. However, one of the following simple bedside tests should be used to inform the patient and healthcare professional about the healing potential of the ulcer. Any of the following findings increases the pre-test probability of healing by at least 25%: a skin perfusion pressure 40mmHg, a toe pressure 30mmHg or a transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) 25mmHg. (strong; moderate) Consider urgent vascular imaging and revascularisation in patients with a foot ulcer in diabetes where the toe pressure is Consider vascular imaging and revascularisation in all patients with a foot ulcer in diabetes and PAD, irrespective of the results of bedside tests, when the ulcer does not improve within 6weeks despite optimal management. (strong; low) Diabetic microangiopathy should not be considered to be the cause of poor wound healing in patients with a foot ulcer. (strong; low) In patients with a non-healing ulcer with either an ankle pressure Colour Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography or intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography can each be used to obtain anatomical information when revascularisation is being considered. The entire lower extremity arterial circulation should be evaluated, with detailed visualisation of below-the-knee and pedal arteries. (strong; low) The aim of revascularisation is to restore direct flow to at least one of the foot arteries, preferably the artery that supplies the anatomical region of the wound, with the aim of achieving a minimum skin perfusion pressure 40mmHg, a toe pressure 30mmHg or a TcPO2 25mmHg. (strong; low) A centre treating patients with a foot ulcer in diabetes should have the expertise in and rapid access to facilities necessary to diagnose and treat PAD; both endovascular techniques and bypass surgery should be available. (strong; low) There is inadequate evidence to establish which revascularisation technique is superior, and decisions should be made in a multidisciplinary team on a number of individual factors, such as morphological distribution of PAD, availability of autogenous vein, patient co-morbidities and local expertise. (strong; low) After a revascularisation procedure for a foot ulcer in diabetes, the patient should be treated by a multidisciplinary team as part of a comprehensive care plan. (strong; low) Patients with signs of PAD and a foot infection are at particularly high risk for major limb amputation and require emergency treatment. (strong; moderate) Avoid revascularisation in patients in whom, from the patient perspective, the risk-benefit ratio for the probability of success is unfavourable. (strong; low) All patients with diabetes and an ischaemic foot ulcer should receive aggressive cardiovascular risk management including support for cessation of smoking, treatment of hypertension and prescription of a statin as well as low-dose aspirin or clopidogrel. (strong; low)

RecommendationsExamine a patient with diabetes annually for the presence of peripheral artery disease (PAD); this should include, at a minimum, taking a history and palpating foot pulses. (GRADE strength of recommendation: strong; quality of evidence: low)Evaluate a patient with diabetes and a foot ulcer for the presence of PAD. Determine, as part of this examination, ankle or pedal Doppler arterial waveforms; measure both ankle systolic pressure and systolic ankle brachial index (ABI). (strong; low)We recommend the use of bedside non-invasive tests to exclude PAD. No single modality has been shown to be optimal. Measuring ABI (withIn patients with a foot ulcer in diabetes and PAD, no specific symptoms or signs of PAD reliably predict healing of the ulcer. However, one of the following simple bedside tests should be used to inform the patient and healthcare professional about the healing potential of the ulcer. Any of the following findings increases the pre-test probability of healing by at least 25%: a skin perfusion pressure 40mmHg, a toe pressure 30mmHg or a transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) 25mmHg. (strong; moderate)Consider urgent vascular imaging and revascularisation in patients with a foot ulcer in diabetes where the toe pressure isConsider vascular imaging and revascularisation in all patients with a foot ulcer in diabetes and PAD, irrespective of the results of bedside tests, when the ulcer does not improve within 6weeks despite optimal management. (strong; low)Diabetic microangiopathy should not be considered to be the cause of poor wound healing in patients with a foot ulcer. (strong; low)In patients with a non-healing ulcer with either an ankle pressureColour Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography or intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography can each be used to obtain anatomical information when revascularisation is being considered. The entire lower extremity arterial circulation should be evaluated, with detailed visualisation of below-the-knee and pedal arteries. (strong; low)The aim of revascularisation is to restore direct flow to at least one of the foot arteries, preferably the artery that supplies the anatomical region of the wound, with the aim of achieving a minimum skin perfusion pressure 40mmHg, a toe pressure 30mmHg or a TcPO2 25mmHg. (strong; low)A centre treating patients with a foot ulcer in diabetes should have the expertise in and rapid access to facilities necessary to diagnose and treat PAD; both endovascular techniques and bypass surgery should be available. (strong; low)There is inadequate evidence to establish which revascularisation technique is superior, and decisions should be made in a multidisciplinary team on a number of individual factors, such as morphological distribution of PAD, availability of autogenous vein, patient co-morbidities and local expertise. (strong; low)After a revascularisation procedure for a foot ulcer in diabetes, the patient should be treated by a multidisciplinary team as part of a comprehensive care plan. (strong; low)Patients with signs of PAD and a foot infection are at particularly high risk for major limb amputation and require emergency treatment. (strong; moderate)Avoid revascularisation in patients in whom, from the patient perspective, the risk-benefit ratio for the probability of success is unfavourable. (strong; low)All patients with diabetes and an ischaemic foot ulcer should receive aggressive cardiovascular risk management including support for cessation of smoking, treatment of hypertension and prescription of a statin as well as low-dose aspirin or clopidogrel. (strong; low)

Purpose: To provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies investigating sentinel lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant systemic therapy in pathologically confirmed node positive breast cancer patients.Methods: Pubmed and Embase databases were searched until June 19th, 2015. All abstracts were read and data extraction was performed by two independent readers. A random-effects model was used to pool the proportion for identification rate, false-negative rate (FNR) and axillary pCR with 95% confidence intervals. Subgroup analyses affirmed potential confounders for identification rate and FNR.Results: A total of 997 abstracts were identified and eventually eight studies were included. Pooled estimates were 92.3% (90.8-93.7%) for identification rate, 15.1% (12.7-17.6%) for FNR and 36.8% (34.2-39.5%) for axillary pCR. After subgroup analysis, FNR is significantly worse if one sentinel node was removed compared to two or more sentinel nodes (23.9% versus 10.4%, p = 0.026) and if studies contained clinically nodal stage 1-3, compared to studies with clinically nodal stage 1-2 patients (21.4 versus 13.1%, p = 0.049). Other factors, including single tracer mapping and the definition of axillary pCR, were not significantly different.Conclusion: Based on current evidence it seems not justified to omit further axillary treatment in every clinically node positive breast cancer patients with a negative sentinel lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant systemic therapy. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aims:\ud \ud To assess the clinical value of measuring right atrial pressure (RAP) using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).\ud Methods and results:\ud \ud RAP was measured non-invasively using NIRS over the external jugular vein (Venus 1000, Mespere LifeSciences, Canada) in ambulatory patients with CHF enrolled in the Studies Investigating Co-morbidities Aggravating Heart Failure (SICA-HF) programme. Comparing 243 patients with CHF (mean age 71 years; mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 45%, median NT-proBNP 788 ng/L) to 49 controls (NT-proBNP ≤125 ng/L), RAP was 7 [interquartile range (IQR) 4–11] mmHg vs. 4 (IQR 3–8) mmHg (P < 0.001). Those with RAP ≥10 mmHg (n = 75) were older, had more severe clinical congestion and renal dysfunction, higher plasma NT-proBNP, larger left atrial volume, higher systolic pulmonary pressure and were more often in atrial fibrillation but their LVEF was similar to patients with lower RAP. During a median follow-up of 595 (IQR: 492–714) days, 49 patients (20%) died or were hospitalized for worsening CHF. Compared with patients with RAP ≤5 mmHg, those with RAP ≥10 mmHg had a greater risk of an event (hazard ratio 2.38, 95% confidence interval 1.19–4.75, P = 0.014). RAP measured by NIRS predicted outcome, competing with NT-proBNP in multivariable models.\ud Conclusions:\ud \ud Measuring RAP using NIRS identifies ambulatory patients with CHF who have more severe congestion and a worse outcome. The device might be a useful objective method of monitoring RAP, especially for those inexperienced in eliciting physical signs or when measurement of natriuretic peptides is not immediately available.

PURPOSE To reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing, we sought to develop a clinical decision rule for the diagnosis of acute rhinosinusitis and acute bacterial rhinosinusitis.METHODS Multivariate analysis and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis were used to develop clinical decision rules for the diagnosis of acute rhinosinusitis, defined using 3 different reference standards (purulent antral puncture fluid or abnormal finding on a computed tomographic (CT) scan; for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, we used a positive bacterial culture of antral fluid). Signs, symptoms, C-reactive protein (CRP), and reference standard tests were prospectively recorded in 175 Danish patients aged 18 to 65 years seeking care for suspected acute rhinosinusitis. For each reference standard, we developed 2 clinical decision rules: a point score based on a logistic regression model and an algorithm based on a CART model. We identified low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups for acute rhinosinusitis or acute bacterial rhinosinusitis for each clinical decision rule.RESULTS The point scores each had between 5 and 6 predictors, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCC) between 0.721 and 0.767. For positive bacterial culture as the reference standard, low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups had a 16%, 49%, and 73% likelihood of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, respectively. CART models had an AUROCC ranging from 0.783 to 0.827. For positive bacterial culture as the reference standard, low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups had a likelihood of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis of 6%, 31%, and 59% respectively.CONCLUSIONS We have developed a series of clinical decision rules integrating signs, symptoms, and CRP to diagnose acute rhinosinusitis and acute bacterial rhinosinusitis with good accuracy. They now require prospective validation and an assessment of their effect on clinical and process outcomes.

Purpose: To inventory the examination methods available to assess antero-medial rotational laxity (AMRL) of the knee following medial collateral ligament injury. Methods: Searches were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines and using four online databases: WEB OF SCIENCE, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and AMED. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme guidelines for Diagnostic Test Studies were used for the quality assessment of the articles. Results: A total of 2241 articles were identified from the database searches. From this, four articles were included in the final review. All were case–control studies, considered a combined ACL/MCL injury and had small study populations. Specialised equipment was required in all studies, and one needed additional imaging support before measurements could be taken. Two employed commercially available measuring equipment as part of the assessment process. Conclusion: Clinical assessment of AMRL in relation to a MCL injury remains challenging. Although methods have been developed to support clinical examination, they are limited by a number of factors, including the need for additional time in the clinical environment when setting up equipment, the need for specific equipment to produce and measure rotational movement and imaging support. In addition, there are patient safety concerns from the repeated imaging. A reliable and valid clinical examination remains to be found to truly assess antero-medial rotational laxity of the knee.

Background. Gathering information from talkative patients presents a challenge to clinicians. Empirical evidence on how to effectively deal with this challenge is scant.Objective. This study explores communication strategies and their underlying mechanisms that GPs consider effective when gathering information from talkative patients in order to inform the development of best practices.Methods. We conducted a qualitative study with experienced GPs. We held individual stimulated-recall interviews (SRIs) with six GPs using their videotaped consultations as a stimulus. The transcripts that ensued were triangulated with data from three focus-group discussions (FGs). We performed a thematic network analysis during an iterative process of data collection and analysis.Results. To deal with talkative patients during consultations, GPs first try to pinpoint the cause of patients' talkativeness before deciding on the approach to take. Moreover, they resort to the familiar communication strategies, however, in doing so adopt take a more directive attitude. To prevent such attitude from damaging the relationship, GPs take a stepped approach in which they try not to be overly directive, make the patient co-responsible for efficient time management and make use of empathic interrupting.Conclusions. In the absence of evidence, this description of GPs' communication strategies can guide clinicians, residents and students in gathering information from talkative patients in an efficient, yet empathic and respectful manner. When developing best practices, heed should be paid to the causes of patients' talkativeness and the tension between taking a directive approach and building a doctor-patient relationship.

Recommendations Examine a patient with diabetes annually for the presence of peripheral artery disease (PAD); this should include, at a minimum, taking a history and palpating foot pulses. (GRADE strength of recommendation: strong; quality of evidence: low) Evaluate a patient with diabetes and a foot ulcer for the presence of PAD. Determine, as part of this examination, ankle or pedal Doppler arterial waveforms; measure both ankle systolic pressure and systolic ankle brachial index (ABI). (strong; low) We recommend the use of bedside non-invasive tests to exclude PAD. No single modality has been shown to be optimal. Measuring ABI (with In patients with a foot ulcer in diabetes and PAD, no specific symptoms or signs of PAD reliably predict healing of the ulcer. However, one of the following simple bedside tests should be used to inform the patient and healthcare professional about the healing potential of the ulcer. Any of the following findings increases the pre-test probability of healing by at least 25%: a skin perfusion pressure 40mmHg, a toe pressure 30mmHg or a transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) 25mmHg. (strong; moderate) Consider urgent vascular imaging and revascularisation in patients with a foot ulcer in diabetes where the toe pressure is Consider vascular imaging and revascularisation in all patients with a foot ulcer in diabetes and PAD, irrespective of the results of bedside tests, when the ulcer does not improve within 6weeks despite optimal management. (strong; low) Diabetic microangiopathy should not be considered to be the cause of poor wound healing in patients with a foot ulcer. (strong; low) In patients with a non-healing ulcer with either an ankle pressure Colour Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography or intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography can each be used to obtain anatomical information when revascularisation is being considered. The entire lower extremity arterial circulation should be evaluated, with detailed visualisation of below-the-knee and pedal arteries. (strong; low) The aim of revascularisation is to restore direct flow to at least one of the foot arteries, preferably the artery that supplies the anatomical region of the wound, with the aim of achieving a minimum skin perfusion pressure 40mmHg, a toe pressure 30mmHg or a TcPO2 25mmHg. (strong; low) A centre treating patients with a foot ulcer in diabetes should have the expertise in and rapid access to facilities necessary to diagnose and treat PAD; both endovascular techniques and bypass surgery should be available. (strong; low) There is inadequate evidence to establish which revascularisation technique is superior, and decisions should be made in a multidisciplinary team on a number of individual factors, such as morphological distribution of PAD, availability of autogenous vein, patient co-morbidities and local expertise. (strong; low) After a revascularisation procedure for a foot ulcer in diabetes, the patient should be treated by a multidisciplinary team as part of a comprehensive care plan. (strong; low) Patients with signs of PAD and a foot infection are at particularly high risk for major limb amputation and require emergency treatment. (strong; moderate) Avoid revascularisation in patients in whom, from the patient perspective, the risk-benefit ratio for the probability of success is unfavourable. (strong; low) All patients with diabetes and an ischaemic foot ulcer should receive aggressive cardiovascular risk management including support for cessation of smoking, treatment of hypertension and prescription of a statin as well as low-dose aspirin or clopidogrel. (strong; low)

Objective. To assess the intra- and interobserver reproducibility of musculoskeletal ultrasonography (US) in detecting inflammatory shoulder changes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and to determine the agreement between US and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a gold standard.Methods. Eleven rheumatologists investigated 10 patients in 2 rounds independently and blindly of each other by US. US results were compared with shoulder function tests and MRI.Results. The positive and negative predictive values (NPVs) for axillary recess synovitis (ARS) were 0.88 and 0.43, respectively, for posterior recess synovitis (PRS) were 0.36 and 0.97, respectively, for subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis (SASB) were 0.85 and 0.28, respectively, and the NPV for biceps tenosynovitis (BT) was 1.00. The intraobserver kappa was 0.62 for ARS, 0.59 for PRS, 0.51 for BT, and 0.70 for SASB. The intraobserver kappa for power Doppler US (PDUS) signal was 0.91 for PRS, 0.77 for ARS, 0.94 for SASB, and 0.53 for BT. The interobserver maximum kappa was 0.46 for BT, 0.95 for ARS, 0.52 for PRS, and 0.61 for SASB. The interobserver reliability of PDUS was 1.0 for PRS, 0.1 for ARS, 0.5 for BT, and 1.0 for SASB. P values for the SPADI and DASH versus cuff tear on US were 0.02 and 0.01, respectively; all other relationships were not significant.Conclusion. Overall agreements between gray-scale US and MRI regarding synovitis of the shoulder varied considerably, but excellent results were seen for PDUS. Measures of shoulder function have a poor relationship with US and MRI. Improved standardization of US scanning technique could further reliability of shoulder US.

BackgroundKnee injuries may lead to pain and to functional limitations in the activities of daily living. Patients with knee injuries are frequently seen in general practice; however, the outcome and management in these patients is not known.AimTo assess the outcome and management of knee injuries at 12 months' follow-up in general practice.Design of studyA prospective observational cohort study with a 1-year follow-up.Setting.Primary health care.MethodAdult patients consulting their GP after knee injury (n = 134) participated in the cohort. A magnetic resonance imaging scan was carried out and patients were diagnosed as either no lesion or an isolated meniscal tear, an isolated collateral or cruciate ligament lesion, or a combination. Follow-up questionnaires were filled in up to 12 months' follow-up.ResultsAt 12 months' follow-up, 34 patients reported full recovery and 67 patients reported major improvement. At baseline, 37 patients (28%) were referred to physical therapy and 17 patients (13%) were referred to secondary care. During 1 year of follow-up, another 21 referrals to physical therapy and 11 referrals to secondary care took place. The pain severity decreased the most, and the Lysholm knee score increased in the majority of patients during the first 3 months after injury. In total, 18 arthroscopies were performed in 15 patients One patient underwent an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.ConclusionThe vast majority of patients report clinically relevant recovery. There is no clear difference in outcomes between patients with meniscal tears or ligament lesions and patients without these diagnoses.

A systematic literature review was conducted to determine the diagnostic validity of the criteria for sacroiliac (SI) joint pain as proposed by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). Databases were searched up to September 2007. Quality of the studies was assessed using a Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) tool. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios (DOR) were calculated together with 95% confidence intervals (0). Statistical pooling was conducted for results of provocative tests. Eighteen studies were included. Five studies examined the pattern of SI joint pain, whereas another 5 examined stressing test specific for SI joint pain. None of the studies evaluated the diagnostic validity of the SI joint infiltration or the diagnostic validity of the IASP criteria set as a whole. in all studies, the SI joint selective infiltration was used as a gold standard; however, the technique, medications, and required pain relief after the infiltration varied considerably between the studies. Taking the double infiltration technique as reference test, the pooled data of the thigh thrust test (DOR, 18.461; Cl, 5.82 to 58.53), compression test (DOR, 3.88; Cl, 1.7 to 8.9), and 3 or more positive stressing tests (DOR, 17.16; Cl, 7.6 to 39) showed discriminative power for diagnosing SI joint pain. Perspective: This review of clinical studies focused on the diagnostic validity of the IASP criteria for diagnosing SI joint pain. A meta-analysis showed that the thigh thrust test, the compression test, and 3 or more positive stressing tests have discriminative power for diagnosing SI joint pain. Because a gold standard for SI joint pain diagnosis is lacking, the diagnostic validity of tests related to the IASP criteria for SI joint pain should be regarded with care. (C) 2009 by the American Pain Society

Background After sustaining an ankle sprain, taping is often the standard treatment in primary care. Ankle braces are sometimes used as an alternative. This study aimed to compare the effects of four weeks of soft bracing or taping following acute lateral ankle ligamentous sprain (ALALS) on sprain recurrence rates and residual symptoms at one year. Methods In this pragmatic, non-randomised controlled trial, 157 adult participants with an ALALS caused by an inversion trauma were alternately allocated to a four week treatment with a soft brace (intervention group) or a four week treatment with ankle tape (control group) in order of presentation. The primary outcome was the 1-year incidence of the self-reported recurrence of ALALS. The secondary outcome was the occurrence of residual symptoms. Results Baseline characteristics did not differ appreciably between the treatment groups. Thirteen patients (17%) in the brace group reported a re-injury versus 11 patients (14%) treated with tape, corresponding to a risk difference of 3.1% (relative risk 1.2, 95% CI 0.6 to 2.6). Cox regression analysis showed a hazard ratio of self-reported ankle sprain recurrence within 52 weeks in the brace group compared to the tape group of 0.9 (95% CI 0.4 to 1.9). After one year, patients in the brace group had poorer scores on the manual anterior ankle test, corresponding to a risk difference of 15.4% (RR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 5.0). Conclusion ALALS recurrences and residual symptoms appear to be similar at one year when an ALALS is treated with four weeks of soft bracing or taping. Trial registration ISRCTN92030205

Objective: Collecting information during patient encounters is essential for the delivery of patient-centered care. To obtain insight into areas that require more attention in medical communication training, this study explores what difficulties GP trainees encounter when gathering information.Methods: In this phenomenological study, we observed a morning clinic of 15 GP trainees. To explore trainees' experiences with information-gathering, we held brief interviews after every consultation and a lengthier interview directly after the morning clinic. The resulting data were analyzed using template analysis.Results: From trainees' reflections, we distilled five difficulties that trainees experience when gathering information: (1) Goal conflicts; (2) Ineffectiveness of trained communication skills in specific situations; (3) Trainees' distress hampers open communication; (4) Untrustworthy information; (5) Tunnel vision.Conclusion: Information-gathering is difficult for GP trainees. Current generic communication skills training does not seem to support trainees sufficiently to handle effectively the challenges they encounter during consultations.Practice implications: Medical communication training needs to support trainees in handling their goal-conflicts and feelings that hamper information-gathering, while also providing them with communication strategies adapted to handling specific challenging situations. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Study Design: Meta-analysis.Objectives: To define the accuracy of clinical tests for assessing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures.Background: The cruciate ligaments, and especially the ACL, are among the most commonly injured structures of the knee. Given the increasing injury prevalence, there is undoubtedly a growing need for clinical decision making of health care providers. We reviewed the literature to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of the clinical examination for assessing ACL ruptures.Methods and Measures: MEDLINE (1966 to April 2005), EMBASE (1989 to April 2005), and CINAHL (1982 to April 2005) searches were performed. Also reference lists of the included Studies were reviewed. Studies selected for data extraction were those that addressed the accuracy of at least I physical diagnostic test for ACL rupture and compared the performance of the clinical examination of the knee with a reference standard, such as arthroscopy, arthrotomy, or MRI. Searching was limited to English, German, and Dutch languages.Results: Twenty-eight studies that assessed the accuracy of clinical tests for diagnosing ACL ruptures met the inclusion criteria. Study results were, however, heterogeneous. The Lachman test is the most valid test to determine ACL tears, showing a pooled sensitivity of 85% (95% confidence interval ICI], 83-87) and a pooled specificity of 94% (95% Cl, 92-95). The pivot shift test is very specific, namely 98% (95% Cl, 96-99), but has a poor sensitivity of 24% (95% Cl, 21-27). The anterior drawer test shows good sensitivity and specificity in chronic conditions, respectively 92% (95% Cl, 88-95) and 91% (95% Cl, 87-94), but not in acute conditions.Conclusion: In case of suspected ACL injury it is recommended to perform the Lachman test. Because the pivot shift test is very specific both in acute as well as in chronic conditions, it is recommended to perform the pivot shift test as well.

STUDY DESIGN: Meta-analysis. OBJECTIVES: To define the accuracy of clinical tests for assessing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures. BACKGROUND: The cruciate ligaments, and especially the ACL, are among the most commonly injured structures of the knee. Given the increasing injury prevalence, there is undoubtedly a growing need for clinical decision making of health care providers. We reviewed the literature to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of the clinical examination for assessing ACL ruptures. METHODS AND MEASURES: MEDLINE (1966 to April 2005), EMBASE (1989 to April 2005), and CINAHL (1982 to April 2005) searches were performed. Also reference lists of the included studies were reviewed. Studies selected for data extraction were those that addressed the accuracy of at least 1 physical diagnostic test for ACL rupture and compared the performance of the clinical examination of the knee with a reference standard, such as arthroscopy, arthrotomy, or MRI. Searching was limited to English, German, and Dutch languages. RESULTS: Twenty-eight studies that assessed the accuracy of clinical tests for diagnosing ACL ruptures met the inclusion criteria. Study results were, however, heterogeneous. The Lachman test is the most valid test to determine ACL tears, showing a pooled sensitivity of 85% (95% confidence interval [CI], 83-87) and a pooled specificity of 94% (95% CI, 92-95). The pivot shift test is very specific, namely 98% (95% CI, 96-99), but has a poor sensitivity of 24% (95% CI, 21-27). The anterior drawer test shows good sensitivity and specificity in chronic conditions, respectively 92% (95% CI, 88-95) and 91% (95% CI, 87-94), but not in acute conditions. CONCLUSION: In case of suspected ACL injury it is recommended to perform the Lachman test. Because the pivot shift test is very specific both in acute as well as in chronic conditions, it is recommended to perform the pivot shift test as well.

Background Prognosis of persistent complaints after knee injury is based on secondary care populations. In a primary care setting, however, no studies have addressed this issue. Aim To identify possible predictors of persistent complaints 1 year after a knee injury. These predictors are important for guiding the GP’s therapeutic management, and giving advice to patients about work and/or sports-related activities. Design and setting Primary care prospective cohort study with a 1-year follow-up period in five municipalities in the southwest region of the Netherlands. Method Patients who were eligible were recruited to the study by a GP research network with around 84 000 patients and 40 participating GPs. A total of 134 patients (aged 18–65 years) who consulted their GP within 5 weeks after a knee injury entered the study. Follow-up after 1 year was conducted in 122 patients. The main outcome was persistent complaints 1 year after injury; possible predictors for these complaints were obtained with a questionnaire, a physical examination, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), according to a standardised protocol. Results After 1 year, of the 122 available patients, 21 (17%) reported persistent complaints and 101 (83%) reported full recovery or major improvement. In this study being aged >40 years had a significant association ( P 40 years was the only determinant with a significant association with persistent complaints. As physical examination and MRI had no predictive value, they are not recommended for prognosis of persistent complaints.