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Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) are effective treatments for severe knee and hip osteoarthritis. Historically, TKA has been associated with lower satisfaction than THA, but recent advances in knee surgery have led to lower dissatisfaction rates. This study aimed to compare the satisfaction and self-reported improvement in the quality of life of two cohorts of patients who underwent TKA and THA, respectively. Methods: This observational study compared two previously published cohorts of patients who underwent THA and TKA in a single university center. The Goodman scale was used to assess satisfaction and self-perception of improved quality of life after TKA and THA at a minimum one-year follow-up. Propensity score matching was used to balance age, gender, and follow-up between groups. Significance was set at 0.05. Results: The study included a total of 105 THAs and 131 TKAs. Both groups had high levels of satisfaction with pain relief, ability to do house/yard work, and overall satisfaction, with above 90% satisfaction rates. Regarding improvement in quality of life, both groups had 86% of patients reporting improvement as "much better." After propensity score matching, no significant difference was found between THA and TKA for any of the comparisons made using the Goodman scale. Conclusions: The study showed that both TKA and THA resulted in high levels of satisfaction and improvement in quality of life. There was no significant difference in satisfaction rates between TKA and THA, contrary to the historical trend of lower satisfaction rates for TKA.
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In this work, the effect of iron(III) in the preparation of a conductive porous composite using a biomass waste-based starch template was evaluated. Biopolymers are obtained from natural sources, for instance, starch from potato waste, and its conversion into value-added products is highly significant in a circular economy. The biomass starch-based conductive cryogel was polymerized via chemical oxidation of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) using iron(III) p-toluenesulfonate as a strategy to functionalize porous biopolymers. Thermal, spectrophotometric, physical, and chemical properties of the starch template, starch/iron(III), and the conductive polymer composites were evaluated. The impedance data of the conductive polymer deposited onto the starch template confirmed that at a longer soaking time, the electrical performance of the composite was improved, slightly modifying its microstructure. The functionalization of porous cryogels and aerogels using polysaccharides as raw materials is of great interest for applications in electronic, environmental, and biological fields.
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PURPOSE: Currently, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are the standard instruments used to compare arthroplasty results. Goodman et al. recently published a well-constructed scale with excellent psychometric properties that can be quickly administered. The main objective of our study was to translate, culturally adapt, and validate a Spanish version of the Goodman questionnaire in patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: The original Goodman scale was translated into Spanish and cross-culturally adapted. Then, the data from this version were tested for psychometric quality. We designed a cross-sectional study for data collection. This study enrolled 2 institutions. Patients who underwent hip replacement due to primary osteoarthritis secondary to dysplasia between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2019 were included. A total of 153 patients were contacted twice to record the Goodman and Oxford hip scales (OHS) to assess the validity of the questionnaire. Reliability was tested using the Cronbach's alpha, Concordance using 3 test: intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and the Bradley-Blackwood F test. The spearman correlation was used to asses correlation between the OHS and the Spanish-adapted Goodman scale. RESULTS: The overall satisfaction after THA was reported to be "very satisfied" by 137 patients (75%), and only 14 patients reported some degree of dissatisfaction (6%). The improvement in quality of life was reported to be "more than I ever dreamed possible" by 41% patients. Cronbach's alpha was acceptable, reaching a coefficient of 0.95 (95% confidence interval, 0.82-1). No statistical difference (t test, p = 0.55) was found in the original version, with great internal validity. Test re-test concordance was optimal among the 3 tests used. A moderate correlation was found between the OHS and the Spanish-adapted Goodman scale. CONCLUSION: The Spanish version of the Goodman questionnaire in THA is a reliable, consistent, and feasible scale to evaluate patient satisfaction and improvement in the quality of life in Spanish speakers.
Subject(s)
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip , Cross-Cultural Comparison , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Psychometrics/methods , Quality of Life , Reproducibility of Results , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Abstract Introduction Making decisions based on evidence has been a challenge for health professionals, given the need to have the tools and skills to carry out a critical appraisal of the evidence and assess the validity of the results. Systematic reviews of the literature (SRL) have been used widely to answer questions in the clinical field. Tools have been developed that support the appraisal of the quality of the studies. AMSTAR is one of these, validated and supported by reproducible evidence, which guides the methodological quality of the SRL. Objectives To show a historical, theoretical and practical guide for critical assessment of systematic reviews using AMSTAR to guide the argumental bases for their use according to the components of this methodological structure in health research, and to provide practical examples of how to apply this checklist. Methods We conducted a non-exhaustive review of literature in Pubmed and Cochrane Library using "AMSTAR" and "Systematic Reviews" as free terms without language or publication date limit; we also collected information from experts in the evaluation of the quality of the evidence. Conclusions AMSTAR is an instrument used, validated and supported by reproducible evidence for the evaluation of the internal validity of systematic reviews of the literature. It consists of 16 items that assess the overall methodological quality of a SRL. It is currently used indiscriminately and favorably, but it is not exempt from limitations and future updates based on new reproducibility and validation studies.
Resumen Introducción Tomar decisiones basadas en la evidencia ha sido un reto para profesionales de la salud; se requiere tener herramientas y habilidades para apreciar la evidencia críticamente y evaluar la validez de los resultados. Las revisiones sistemáticas de la literatura (RSL) han sido muy usadas para dar respuesta a preguntas del ámbito clínico. Se han desarrollado herramientas que apoyan la apreciación de la calidad de los estudios. El AMSTAR es una de estas, validada y soportada por evidencia reproducible que orienta la calidad metodológica de las RSL. Objetivos Mostrar un abordaje histórico, teórico y de guía práctica para la apreciación crítica de las revisiones sistemáticas con el AMSTAR, orientar las bases argumentales para su uso, según los componentes de esta estructura metodológica en investigación en salud, y proporcionar ejemplos prácticos sobre cómo aplicar esta lista de chequeo. Métodos Realizamos una revisión no exhaustiva de literatura en PubMed y The Cochrane Library con los términos libres "AMSTAR" y "revisiones sistemáticas'', sin límite de idioma o año de publicación; también, recolectamos información de expertos en evaluación de la calidad de la evidencia. Conclusiones El AMSTAR es un instrumento validado y soportado por evidencia reproducible para la evaluación de la validez interna de las revisiones sistemáticas de la literatura. Consiste en 16 ítems que evalúan de manera global la calidad metodológica de una RSL. Actualmente, se usa de manera indiscriminada y predilecta, pero no está exenta de limitaciones y futuras actualizaciones basadas en nuevos estudios de reproducibilidad y validación.
Subject(s)
Humans , Quality Assurance, Health Care , Epidemiologic Methods , Evidence-Based Practice , Review Literature as Topic , Meta-Analysis as Topic , Instruments for Management of Scientific ActivityABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is an invasive procedure used in critically ill patients with catastrophic pulmonary failure or cardiogenic shock in which conventional management has failed. These patients are managed with permanent anticoagulation, with increased bleeding risk. Hemorrhage is the main reported complication. CASE: A 25-year-old polytraumatized woman, both lower limbs amputated and a left femoral shaft fracture with catastrophic pulmonary failure (Murray score 4) that required intensive management care with ECMO. During her evolution definitive femoral shaft osteosynthesis with a nail as required and the medical team decided to operate on the patient under ECMO. She recovered with fluctuations in her hematocrit, but was hemodynamically stable. The patient recovered satisfactorily, was weaned from ECMO and commenced her rehabilitation program. At 16 months, she was almost autovalent, and full consolidation was achieved, with no complication of the implants. DISCUSSION: ECMO is a life-saving support, but requires permanent anticoagulation, which implies a high risk of hemorrhages, specially for surgical treatment. This patient underwent an osteosynthesis surgery satisfactorily. Hematoma was the only complication of her intramedullary femoral nail, without compromising hemodynamics. This case shows that patients on ECMO can undergo a major orthopedic surgery in selected cases.
