Biomedical subjects

Karen Steger-May

Publications and source records attributed to Karen Steger-May.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Lower extremity muscle size and strength and aerobic capacity decrease with caloric restriction but not with exercise-induced weight loss.

Caloric restriction (CR) results in fat loss; however, it may also result in loss of muscle and thereby reduce strength and aerobic capacity (VO2 max). These effects may not occur with exercise-induced weight loss (EX) because of the anabolic effects of exercise on heart and skeletal muscle. We tested the hypothesis that CR reduces muscle size and strength and VO2 max, whereas EX preserves or improves these parameters. Healthy 50- to 60-yr-old men and women (body mass index of 23.5-29.9 kg/m2) were studied before and after 12 mo of weight loss by CR (n = 18) or EX (n = 16). Lean mass was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, thigh muscle volume by MRI, isometric and isokinetic knee flexor strength by dynamometry, and treadmill VO2 max by indirect calorimetry. Both interventions caused significant decreases in body weight (CR: -10.7 +/- 1.4%, EX: -9.5 +/- 1.5%) and lean mass (CR: -3.5 +/- 0.7%, EX: -2.2 +/- 0.8%), with no significant differences between groups. Significant decreases in thigh muscle volume (-6.9 +/- 0.8%) and composite knee flexion strength (-7.2 +/- 3%) occurred in the CR group only. Absolute VO2 max decreased significantly in the CR group (-6.8 +/- 2.3%), whereas the EX group had significant increases in both absolute (+15.5 +/- 2.4%) and relative (+28.3 +/- 3.0%) VO2 max. These data provide evidence that muscle mass and absolute physical work capacity decrease in response to 12 mo of CR but not in response to a similar weight loss induced by exercise. These findings suggest that, during EX, the body adapts to maintain or even enhance physical performance capacity.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2006

Wasting of preoperatively donated autologous blood in the surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, case-control. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the utility of preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD) for surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Recent data have highlighted overuse of PABD in elective surgery; however, PABD is a major blood conservation strategy for AIS surgery. METHODS: Medical records of 123 patients treated for AIS between June 1995 and November 2004 were reviewed. Patients were divided into PABD (n = 104) and nondonors (NPABD; n = 19). RESULTS: No differences existed between PABD and NPABD for age, major curve size, or operative procedures. Average PABD preoperative hematocrit was lower than NPABD (37.8 vs. 40.2; P < 0.005). PABD patients were 9 times more likely to be transfused than NPABD, and 3 times more likely to be transfused for each unit donated. There was a 25% transfusion risk reduction for each percent preoperative hematocrit increase. Minimum one autologous unit was not transfused in 32 patients (31%). Twenty-nine PABD patients (28%) were transfused for hematocrit >30. Fifty-three PABD patients (51%) wasted at least one unit or were transfused for hematocrit >30. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of PABD patients (51%) wasted minimum one autologous unit or were transfused at a high hematocrit (>30). More precise PABD guidelines are needed to limit unnecessary transfusion and wasted resources.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Baseline factors predictive of incident penetrating keratoplasty in keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To identify baseline demographic and clinical factors associated with undergoing penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in a prospective cohort of 1,065 keratoconus patients followed for eight years in the Collaborative Longitudinal Evaluation of Keratoconus (CLEK) Study. DESIGN: Multicenter, prospective, observational cohort study. METHODS: We report the rate of PK over eight years and baseline factors predictive of PK in 1,065 patients who, at the time of study enrollment, had not undergone PK in either eye. RESULTS: Eighty-two percent of patients completed the eight-year close-out visit. Twelve percent (126 of 1,065) had PK in one (9.3%) or both eyes (2.5%). Baseline factors associated with increased likelihood of PK included younger age, steeper keratometric values, worse visual acuity, corneal scarring, poorer contact lens comfort, and poorer vision-related quality of life. The percent of eyes undergoing PK was 15% for patients 40 years old and younger, 28% for eyes with a steep keratometric value greater than 52 diopters, 33% for visual acuity less than 20/40, and 24% for eyes with corneal scarring. CONCLUSIONS: The CLEK Study confirmed previous reports of the increased likelihood of PK associated with corneal scarring, steeper keratometry values, poorer visual acuity, and poorer contact lens comfort. The CLEK Study is among the first to report an increased risk of PK associated with younger age, worse vision-related quality of life, and flatter contact lens fits. Knowledge of these factors is beneficial to clinicians in patient education and may be useful in disease management.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Improvements in glucose tolerance and insulin action induced by increasing energy expenditure or decreasing energy intake: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Weight loss, through calorie restriction or increases in energy expenditure via exercise, improves glucose tolerance and insulin action. However, exercise-induced energy expenditure may further improve glucoregulation through mechanisms independent of weight loss. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess the hypothesis that weight loss through exercise-induced energy expenditure improves glucoregulation and circulating factors involved in insulin action to a greater extent than does similar weight loss through calorie restriction. DESIGN: Sedentary men and women aged 50-60 y with a body mass index (kg/m(2)) of 23.5-29.9 were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 weight-loss interventions [12 mo of exercise training (EX group; n = 18) or calorie restriction (CR group; n = 18)] or to a healthy lifestyle (HL) control group (n = 10). The insulin sensitivity index and areas under the curve for glucose and insulin were assessed with an oral-glucose-tolerance test. Adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor alpha concentrations were measured in fasting serum. Fat mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Yearlong energy deficits were not significantly different between the EX and CR groups, as evidenced by body weight and fat mass changes. The insulin sensitivity index increased and the glucose and insulin areas under the curve decreased in the EX and CR groups, remained unchanged in the HL group, and did not differ significantly between the EX and CR groups. Marginally significant increases in adiponectin and decreases in the ratio of tumor necrosis factor alpha to adiponectin occurred in the EX and CR groups but not in the HL group. CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss induced by exercise training or calorie restriction improves glucose tolerance and insulin action in nonobese, healthy, middle-aged men and women. However, it does not appear that exercise training-induced weight loss results in greater improvements than those that result from calorie restriction alone.

Adiponectin↗

PubMed2006

One year of caloric restriction in humans: feasibility and effects on body composition and abdominal adipose tissue.

BACKGROUND: Caloric restriction (CR) increases maximal life span in short-lived organisms, and its effects are being explored in nonhuman primates. The objectives of this study were to determine the feasibility of prolonged CR in nonobese adults and to compare the effects of CR- and exercise-induced weight loss on body composition and abdominal adiposity. METHODS: A randomized, controlled trial was conducted with 48 healthy, nonobese women and men, aged 57 +/- 1 (mean +/- standard error [SE]) years, with body mass index 27.3 +/- 0.3 kg/m2. Participants were randomly assigned to a 20% calorically-restricted diet (CR, n = 19), exercise designed to produce a similar energy deficit (EX, n = 19), or a healthy lifestyle control group (HL, n = 10) for 1 year. Assessments included weight, body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, abdominal adipose tissue by magnetic resonance imaging, and energy intake by doubly labeled water. RESULTS: The average level of CR achieved by the CR group was 11.5 +/- 2.1%, and the EX group completed 59 +/- 6.7% of their prescribed exercise. Weight changes were greater (p <or=.0005) in the CR (-8.0 +/- 0.9 kg) and EX (-6.4 +/- 0.9) groups as compared to the HL group (-1.3 +/- 0.9 kg), corresponding to reductions of 10.7%, 8.4%, and 1.7% of baseline weights, respectively. Whole-body fat mass and visceral and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue decreased significantly (p <.005) and comparably in the CR and EX groups, but did not change in the HL group. CONCLUSIONS: CR for 1 year was feasible, but the level of CR achieved was less than prescribed. CR and exercise were equally effective in reducing weight and adiposity.

Abdominal Fat↗

PubMed2006

Characteristics of frail older adult drivers.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of driving in older adults with mild to moderate physical frailty and to compare characteristics of current frail older adult drivers with those of former drivers in the sample. DESIGN: Retrospective study of frail older adults enrolled in randomized trials of exercise and hormone replacement therapy. SETTING: Urban, academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred eighty-three sedentary community-dwelling men and women aged 75 and older with mild to moderate physical frailty, as defined by two of the following three criteria: modified Physical Performance Test (PPT) score between 18 and 32, peak oxygen uptake (VO2) between 10 and 18 mL/kg per minute, and self-report of difficulty or assistance with one activity of daily living (ADL) or two instrumental ADLs. Participants were classified as current or former drivers. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic characteristics, medical diagnoses, medication use, modified PPT score, and psychometric tests. RESULTS: The majority (85%) of the participants were drivers. Former drivers were more likely to be older, be female, reside in congregate independent living for the elderly, have a higher incidence of arthritis and congestive heart failure, take sedating medications, have lower total ADL scores, have lower VO2 peak scores, and have more impairment on tests of cognition and physical strength, although only age, type of residence, and grip strength were independent predictors of driving cessation in the regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Despite the presence of physical frailty, many older adults choose to continue to drive. Further studies are needed to better understand the driving behaviors of frail older adults and explore opportunities for optimizing driving abilities.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2005

Elbow range of motion in professional baseball pitchers.

BACKGROUND: Physicians involved with the care of baseball players have noted elbow range of motion changes in pitchers. Objective data regarding the extent of these changes have rarely been documented. HYPOTHESIS: Dominant and nondominant elbow range of motion differences are common in baseball pitchers, and these differences are related to player age, amount and length of time professionally pitched, and history of surgical procedures on the dominant extremity. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Thirty-three professional pitchers were evaluated for elbow range of motion during spring training preseason physical examination. Dominant and nondominant elbow range of motion including flexion, extension, supination, and pronation were measured with a goniometer. Range of motion measures from the dominant and nondominant sides were compared. Baseball records were reviewed for arm dominance, age, years of professional pitching, professional innings pitched, and history of elbow surgery. These factors were evaluated for their possible association with range of motion for each side and the difference between sides. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences between dominant and nondominant sides were noted for elbow extension (dominant decreased 7.9 degrees +/- 7.4 degrees, P < .0001), flexion (dominant decreased 5.5 degrees +/- 7.8 degrees, P = .0003), and total flexion-extension arc (dominant decreased 13.3 degrees +/- 13.7 degrees, P < .0001). No significant difference between sides was found for the supination or pronation measures. No correlation was noted for age, pitching history, surgery, or arm dominance and the motion differences. CONCLUSION: Professional pitchers demonstrate elbow flexion and extension differences between dominant and nondominant elbows. No correlation was found between motion differences and age, pitching history, surgery, or arm dominance.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Analysis of the lowest instrumented vertebra following anterior spinal fusion of thoracolumbar/lumbar adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: can we predict postoperative disc wedging?

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective radiographic study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate which radiographic parameters correlate best to ultimate lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) position and subjacent disc wedging following anterior spinal fusion (ASF) for thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In an ASF of TL/L AIS, part of the operative goals are often to horizontalize and centralize the LIV, or potentially minimize subjacent disc wedging after surgery. To our knowledge, no study has investigated the specific radiographic parameters involved with obtaining these goals. METHODS: Sixty-one patients with TL/L AIS were treated with an instrumented ASF with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were examined measuring various radiographic parameters of the curve itself along with the LIV and subjacent disc. Specific correlation of these parameters to the coronal disc angle immediately below the LIV (disc angle), LIV translation, and global coronal balance (C7-CSVL distance) at 2 years postoperative was analyzed, respectively. RESULTS: The preoperative disc angle was 4.49 degrees +/- 5.48 and postoperative -5.85 degrees +/- 4.37. The change of the disc angle was significantly correlated to the LIV level relative to the preoperative lower end vertebra (LEV) (P < 0.006). Regressive analysis demonstrated the correlative parameters to the postoperative disc angle to be: preoperative upright disc angle; preoperative apex-LIV distance; and preoperative T12-LIV lordosis (P < 0.0001, r2 = 0.51). The correlative parameters to postoperative LIV translation were preoperative LIV translation and preoperative LIV rotation (P = 0.002, r2 = 0.2). The correlative parameter to postoperative C7-CSVL distance was only preoperative C7-CSVL distance (P < 0.0001, r2 = 0.3). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative subjacent disc wedging occurs most often when the preoperative subjacent disc is nearly parallel and when a shorter fusion excluding the LEV is performed. Preoperative LIV rotation significantly correlates to postoperative LIV translation. Surgeons should note these preoperative predictive factors to optimize radiographic results of the operative treatment of TL/L AIS.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Differences in keratoconus as a function of gender.

PURPOSE: To characterize gender differences in the Collaborative Longitudinal Evaluation of Keratoconus (CLEK) Study. DESIGN: Observational, longitudinal study. METHODS: A total of 1209 subjects at 16 clinics. For eye-specific categorical variables, the number of eyes per subject with the characteristic was counted. For eye-specific continuous variables, the mean of both eyes was calculated. Multivariate linear (for continuous outcomes) and logistic (for categorical outcomes) regression models were created for each baseline characteristic with statistically significant (P < or = .05) differences between men and women. Age, race, education, and corneal curvature were covariates. RESULTS: The women were older, more likely to report a family history of keratoconus, more likely to be nonwhite, and less likely to complete college than men. Vogt's striae and monocular and binocular high-contrast entrance acuity were the only visual characteristics that varied between men and women in the multivariate model. Women were more likely than men to report ocular symptoms of dryness and complaints based upon a composite score of ocular symptoms. Women reported more hours per day of near work and were less likely to report the ability to wear contact lenses for enough hours to permit reading at home in the evening. Women reported more visits to their eye care practitioner during the previous 12 months. NEI-VFQ results revealed differences in self-reported difficulty with distance activities and driving. CONCLUSIONS: Gender differences exist in patient history, vision, and ocular symptoms in keratoconus patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Effects of progressive resistance training on body composition in frail older adults: results of a randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Progressive resistance exercise training (PRT) has been shown to increase muscle strength and fat-free mass (FFM) in elderly persons. Limited information is available regarding the effects of PRT on lean and fat mass in frail elderly persons. METHODS: Ninety-one community-dwelling sedentary men and women, 78 years and older with physical frailty (defined using standardized objective criteria) were enrolled in a 9-month trial of exercise training (ET). Physical frailty was defined as having 2 of the 3 following criteria: modified Physical Performance Test score between 18 and 32, peak aerobic power between 10 and 18 ml/kg/min, or self-report of difficulty or assistance with two instrumental activities of daily living or one basic activity of daily living. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control (CTL) group that performed a low intensity home exercise program or a supervised ET group that performed 3 months of low intensity exercise and 3 months of PRT. RESULTS: After completion of PRT, ET participants had greater improvements than did CTL participants in maximal voluntary force production for knee extension (mean Delta +5.3 +/- 13 ft/lb vs +1.1 +/- 11 ft/lb, p =.05), measured using isokinetic dynamometry. Total body FFM (measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) increased in the ET group, but not in the CTL group (mean Delta +0.84 +/- 1.4 kg vs +0.01 +/- 1.5 kg, p =.005). Total, trunk, intra-abdominal, and subcutaneous fat mass (measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and (1)H-magnetic resonance imaging) did not change in response to PRT. CONCLUSIONS: Three months of supervised PRT induced improvements in maximal voluntary thigh muscle strength and whole body FFM in frail, community-dwelling elderly women and men. This supervised exercise program may not be sufficient to reduce whole-body or intra-abdominal fat area in this population.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Comparison of flat and steep rigid contact lens fitting methods in keratoconus.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to compare the safety and efficacy of flat- and steep-fitting rigid contact lenses in keratoconus. METHODS: The Collaborative Longitudinal Evaluation of Keratoconus (CLEK) Study is a 16-center observational study. Cross-sectional results at baseline were generated for 1091 subjects with longitudinal results from the 871 subjects who completed 8 years of follow up. RESULTS: Of the 761 rigid contact lens-wearing patients at baseline, 41% had a scar at baseline compared with 24% of the nonrigid contact lens wearers (odds ratio [OR], 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35-3.43; p = 0.001). Eighty-seven percent were fitted with flat-fitting lenses, whereas 13% were fitted with steep-fitting lenses. Rigid lens fitting method was also associated with incident corneal scarring. A greater proportion of the corneas wearing flat-fitting contact lenses were scarred (43% compared with 26% for the steep-fitted eyes; OR,= 2.19; 95% CI, 1.37-3.51; p = 0.001). After controlling for corneal curvature, the association of rigid contact lens fit and corneal scarring at baseline did not persist (adjusted OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.70-2.06; p = 0.52). Thirty-two percent of unscarred eyes at baseline fitted flat had developed an incident corneal scar by the eighth year follow-up visit compared with 14% of eyes fitted steep (OR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.34-6.42; p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The data reported here indicate that, after controlling for disease severity in the form of corneal curvature, keratoconic eyes fitted with a rigid contact lens resulting in an apical touch fluorescein pattern did not have an increased risk of being scarred centrally at baseline. This "natural history" sample cannot determine causal proof that one method of fitting lenses is safer than another. To achieve this, a randomized clinical trial is needed.

Contact Lenses↗

PubMed2005

Pulmonary function in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis relative to the surgical procedure.

BACKGROUND: The long-term pulmonary function of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing surgical correction is uncertain. To our knowledge, no report has demonstrated the changes in pulmonary function five years or more following spinal arthrodesis with use of modern segmental spinal instrumentation techniques for the treatment of all types of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in a similar adolescent population. METHODS: One hundred and eighteen patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing surgical treatment at a single institution were evaluated with pulmonary function tests to assess the absolute and percent-predicted value of forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second at the preoperative examination and at regular intervals postoperatively. The patients were divided into four groups depending upon the surgical procedure: Group 1 comprised forty-nine patients who had posterior spinal arthrodesis with iliac crest bone graft; Group 2, forty-one patients who had posterior spinal arthrodesis with thoracoplasty; Group 3, sixteen patients who had open anterior spinal arthrodesis with a rib resection thoracotomy; and Group 4, twelve patients who had combined anterior and posterior spinal arthrodesis with a rib resection thoracotomy and iliac crest bone graft, respectively. RESULTS: A comparison of absolute pulmonary function values from the preoperative and final follow-up evaluations demonstrated a significant (p < 0.0001) increase in both the forced vital capacity and the forced expiratory volume in one second for Group 1, whereas no change was seen in those values for Groups 2, 3, and 4. A comparison of the changes in the percent-predicted pulmonary function values demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) decreases in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second for Groups 2, 3, and 4, except for the latter value for Group 4, whereas Group 1 had no change. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who have had any type of chest cage disruption during the surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis demonstrate no change in the absolute value and a significant decline in the percent-predicted value of pulmonary functions at five years following surgery. Chest cage preservation is recommended to maximize both absolute and percent-predicted pulmonary function values after surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Cultural tailoring for mammography and fruit and vegetable intake among low-income African-American women in urban public health centers.

BACKGROUND: It is widely accepted that disease prevention efforts should consider cultural factors when addressing the needs of diverse populations, yet there is surprisingly little evidence that doing so enhances effectiveness. The Institute of Medicine has called for randomized studies directly comparing approaches that do and do not consider culture. METHODS: In a randomized trial, 1227 lower-income African-American women from 10 urban public health centers were assigned to either a usual care control group, or to receive a series of six women's health magazines with content tailored to each individual. By random assignment, these magazines were generated from either behavioral construct tailoring (BCT), culturally relevant tailoring (CRT) or both (BCT + CRT). The CRT magazines were based on four cultural constructs: religiosity, collectivism, racial pride, and time orientation. All tailored magazines sent to women ages 40-65 promoted use of mammography; magazines sent to women ages 18-39 promoted fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. Analyses examined changes from baseline to 18-month follow-up in use of mammography and servings of FV consumed daily. RESULTS: Women receiving BCT + CRT magazines were more likely than those in the BCT, CRT, and control groups to report getting a mammogram (76% vs. 65% vs. 64% vs. 55%, respectively), and had greater increases in FV servings consumed daily (+0.96 vs. + 0.43 vs. + 0.25 vs. + 0.59). CONCLUSIONS: Systematically integrating culture into tailored cancer prevention and control interventions may enhance their effectiveness in diverse populations.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Effects of extended outpatient rehabilitation after hip fracture: a randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT: Hip fractures are common in the elderly, and despite standard rehabilitation, many patients fail to regain their prefracture ambulatory or functional status. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether extended outpatient rehabilitation that includes progressive resistance training improves physical function and reduces disability compared with low-intensity home exercise among physically frail elderly patients with hip fracture. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Randomized controlled trial conducted between August 1998 and May 2003 among 90 community-dwelling women and men aged 65 years or older who had had surgical repair of a proximal femur fracture no more than 16 weeks prior and had completed standard physical therapy. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly assigned to 6 months of either supervised physical therapy and exercise training (n = 46) or home exercise (control condition; n = 44). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures were total scores on a modified Physical Performance Test (PPT), the Functional Status Questionnaire physical function subscale (FSQ), and activities of daily living scales. Secondary outcome measures were standardized measures of skeletal muscle strength, gait, balance, quality of life, and body composition. Participants were evaluated at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. RESULTS: Changes over time in the PPT and FSQ scores favored the physical therapy group (P =.003 and P =.01, respectively). Mean change (SD) in PPT score for physical therapy was +6.5 (5.5) points (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.6-8.3), and for the control condition was +2.5 (3.7) points (95% CI, 1.4-3.6 points). Mean change (SD) in FSQ score for physical therapy was +5.2 (5.4) points (95% CI, 3.5-6.9) and for the control condition was +2.9 (3.8) points (95% CI, 1.7-4.0). Physical therapy also had significantly greater improvements than the control condition in measures of muscle strength, walking speed, balance, and perceived health but not bone mineral density or fat-free mass. CONCLUSION: In community-dwelling frail elderly patients with hip fracture, 6 months of extended outpatient rehabilitation that includes progressive resistance training can improve physical function and quality of life and reduce disability compared with low-intensity home exercise.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2004

Can we predict the ultimate lumbar curve in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing a selective fusion with undercorrection of the thoracic curve?

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of anterior and posterior fusions for treatment of adolescent idiopathic thoracic scoliosis. OBJECTIVES: To delineate the best factors determining final lumbar curve magnitude in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing a selective thoracic anterior or posterior spinal fusion at or proximal to the first lumbar vertebra. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although spontaneous lumbar curve correction occurs consistently following a selective thoracic anterior or posterior spinal fusion, the degree of correction is somewhat unpredictable. METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients with major thoracic-compensatory lumbar adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated by a single surgeon with either selective posterior spinal fusion (n = 44) or anterior spinal fusion (n = 56) of the main thoracic region with an unfused lumbar spine with a lumbar B modifier (lumbar apex touching the center sacral vertical line) or lumbar C modifier (lumbar apex completely lateral to the center sacral vertical line) were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Those patients who maintained excellent postoperative coronal balance, with spontaneous lumbar curve correction, had their thoracic Cobb corrected intraoperatively to a measurement very close to but not more than that of the preoperative thoracic push-prone Cobb. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to develop a formula to help predict lumbar response in those patients undergoing selective thoracic fusion. This is represented in the following formula: Final lumbar Cobb = 14.4 + 3.06 (lumbar modifier; 0 = B, 1 = C) + 0.30 (preoperative standing lumbar Cobb) - 0.18 (preoperative supine lower Cobb) + 0.81(preoperative push/prone lumbar Cobb) - 0.15(preoperative standing thoracic Cobb) - 0.16(% thoracic Cobb change from preoperative to immediate postoperative). Final model R2 = 0.72. CONCLUSIONS: Of the preoperative measurements examined, the preoperative push-prone is the best preoperative flexibility radiograph to predict the final lumbar curve measurement and, along with other factors, can be used to formulate a model that will help the treating surgeon more confidently predict the final lumbar curve response in patients undergoing a selective thoracic fusion.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Variables affecting rigid contact lens comfort in the collaborative longitudinal evaluation of keratoconus (CLEK) study.

PURPOSE: To identify factors associated with rigid contact lens comfort in keratoconus. METHODS: Baseline data from the 16 Collaborative Longitudinal Evaluation of Keratoconus (CLEK) Study clinical sites were analyzed for all patients wearing a rigid contact lens in their more severely keratoconic eye (as determined by steep keratometry). Corneal transplant patients, patients who did not wear a rigid contact lens in either eye, patients who did not wear a rigid lens in their worse eye, and patients with missing contact lens comfort data were excluded from the sample. A total of 751 eyes were included. Variables assessed included measures of disease severity, visual acuity through the patients' habitual rigid contact lenses, contact lens wearing time, the apical fitting relationship of the contact lens, the degree of peripheral clearance, and the presence of corneal scarring and staining. Comfort was measured by asking the patients "In general, how comfortable are your contact lenses?" (1 = very comfortable through 5 = very irritating). RESULTS: Measures of disease severity (steep keratometry and the first definite apical clearance lens) were not associated with lens comfort. There was no difference in self-reported contact lens comfort between patients fitted with apical touch vs. apical clearance. Patients with a peripheral clearance rating of "minimal unacceptable" (more common among patients with milder keratoconus) were approximately half as likely to report good contact lens comfort compared with patients with "average" peripheral clearance (unadjusted odds ratio, 0.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.19 to 0.79). There was no association between contact lens comfort and the other peripheral clearance ratings compared with ratings of average. CONCLUSIONS: There does not appear to be an association between decreasing patient-reported rigid lens comfort and increasing disease severity as measured by steep keratometry or first definite apical clearance lens in this sample. The apical fitting relationship (flat vs. steep) does not appear to be associated with patient-reported comfort. Minimal peripheral clearance may contribute to decreased rigid contact lens comfort in keratoconus.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Persistent pain in frail older adults after hip fracture repair.

OBJECTIVES: To identify factors associated with persistent hip pain in elderly hip fracture patients with physical frailty. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Community-based study conducted at academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-eight men and women (mean age+/-standard deviation 80+/-7 years) with a recent hip fracture (mean 14.5+/-4.8 weeks after hip fracture repair) and physical frailty, defined as a modified Physical Performance Test Score between 12 and 28, enrolled in an exercise intervention trial. MEASUREMENTS: Dependent variable was self-report of moderate to severe regional hip pain in the week preceding the baseline interview. Independent variables were self-reported demographic information, health characteristics, and activity of daily living (ADL) function; Yesavage Mood Score (YMS); 36-item Short Form percentile scores; and objective measurements of lower extremity strength, range of motion, balance, and gait. RESULTS: Forty-two percent of the sample reported moderate or severe hip pain at the baseline assessment. Moderate/severe pain was related to difficulty with ADL performance and multiple measures of quality of life. Variables independently associated with moderate/severe hip pain were frequency of pain medication use (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=5.75, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.23-14.82, P=.003), YMS score (AOR=2.69, 95% CI=1.18-6.12, P=.02), and knee extension at 60 degrees /s in the fractured limb (AOR=0.96, 95% CI=0.92-1.0, P=.05, model coefficient of determination=0.34). CONCLUSION: Persistent hip pain is a frequent symptom in frail elderly community-dwelling hip fracture patients. Pain medication use, symptoms of depression, and skeletal muscle weakness of the fractured leg are independent correlates of moderate to severe hip pain in this patient population. Clinicians should assess for, and address, persistent pain in this patient population.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2003

Correlation of visual and refractive outcomes between eyes after same-session bilateral laser in situ keratomileusis surgery.

PURPOSE: To determine whether between-eye refractive and visual outcomes after same-session laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery are correlated, and to determine whether suboptimal visual and refractive outcomes in one eye are predictive of poor results in the fellow eye. DESIGN: Observational case series. METHODS: Retrospective chart review. A total of 484 eyes of 242 patients met inclusion criteria of having undergone same-day LASIK surgery and having 3-month refractive and visual acuity outcomes. Statistical comparisons of outcomes were performed, including between-eye Pearson correlation analysis and logistic regression models for predicting second-eye outcome. Main outcome measures were 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month uncorrected visual acuity and manifest refraction. RESULTS: Refractive outcomes at 1, 3, and 6 months between first (right) and second eyes were not found to be significantly different. No difference in uncorrected or best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was observed between first and second eyes Refractive outcomes of spherical equivalent, sphere, and cylinder and visual outcomes of uncorrected and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity were highly correlated between the two eyes. Analysis of cases with suboptimal outcomes (> or =1 diopter from intended correction or uncorrected acuity equal to or worse than 20/40) suggests that a poor refractive or visual outcome in the first eye increases the risk of a poor outcome in the second eye by approximately 20-fold. CONCLUSIONS: Retrospective analysis of refractive and visual outcomes from patients undergoing same-session bilateral LASIK demonstrates a high correlation of refractive and visual outcome between the eyes.

Adult↗