General population normative data from seven European countries for the K10 and K6 scales for psychological distress.

The 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K10) and its 6-item short-form version (K6) measure psychological distress, particularly anxiety or depressive symptoms. While these questionnaire scales are widely used in various settings and populations, general population normative data are rarely available. To facilitate the interpretation of K10 and K6 scores, we provide normative general population data from seven European countries. We used an online survey to collect K10 data from general population samples in Austria, Italy, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain. We calculated the age- and sex-specific normative values separately for each country. For more specific estimates of K10 and K6 scores for individuals or groups, we also established a multivariable regression model based on socio-demographic and health data. In total, N = 7,087 adults participated in our study (51.6% women; mean age, 49.6 years). The mean K10 score in the total sample was 8.5 points (standard deviation, 7.3) on 0-40 points metric, with mean scores in individual countries ranging from 6.9 (the Netherlands) to 9.9 (Spain). Women showed higher scores than men and younger participants scored higher than older participants. Our study is the first to present normative K10 and K6 data from several European countries using a consistent sampling approach. These reference values will facilitate the interpretation of K10 and K6 scores in clinical research and practice and also highlight the variation in psychological distress levels across countries and groups according to their socio-demographic and health characteristics.

Patient-reported outcome measures for physical function in cancer patients: content comparison of the EORTC CAT Core, EORTC QLQ-C30, SF-36, FACT-G, and PROMIS measures using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported physical function (PF) is a key endpoint in cancer clinical trials. Using complex statistical methods, common metrics have been developed to compare scores from different patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures, but such methods do not account for possible differences in questionnaire content. Therefore, the aim of our study was a content comparison of frequently used PRO measures for PF in cancer patients. METHODS: Relying on the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) we categorized the item content of the physical domains of the following measures: EORTC CAT Core, EORTC QLQ-C30, SF-36, PROMIS Cancer Item Bank for Physical Function, PROMIS Short Form for Physical Function 20a, and the FACT-G. Item content was linked to ICF categories by two independent reviewers. RESULTS: The 118 items investigated were assigned to 3 components ('d - Activities and Participation', 'b - Body Functions', and 'e - Environmental Factors') and 11 first-level ICF categories. All PF items of the EORTC measures but one were assigned to the first-level ICF categories 'd4 - Mobility' and 'd5 - Self-care', all within the component 'd - Activities and Participation'. The SF-36 additionally included item content related to 'd9 - Community, social and civic life' and the PROMIS Short Form for Physical Function 20a also included content related to 'd6 - domestic life'. The PROMIS Cancer Item Bank (v1.1) covered, in addition, two first-level categories within the component 'b - Body Functions'. The FACT-G Physical Well-being scale was found to be the most diverse scale with item content partly not covered by the ICF framework. DISCUSSION: Our results provide information about conceptual differences between common PRO measures for the assessment of PF in cancer patients. Our results complement quantitative information on psychometric characteristics of these measures and provide a better understanding of the possibilities of establishing common metrics.

Higher body mass index is associated with larger postoperative improvement in patient-reported outcomes following total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty is known to successfully alleviate pain and improve function in endstage knee osteoarthritis. However, there is some controversy with regard to the influence of obesity on clinical benefits after TKA. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of body mass index (BMI) on improvement in pain, function and general health status following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: A single-centre retrospective analysis of primary TKAs performed between 2006 and 2016 was performed. Data were collected preoperatively and 12-month postoperatively using WOMAC score and EQ-5D. Longitudinal score change was compared across the BMI categories identified by the World Health Organization. RESULTS: Data from 1565 patients [mean age 69.1, 62.2% women] were accessed. Weight distribution was: 21.2% BMI < 25.0 kg/m2, 36.9% BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m2, 27.0% BMI 30.0-34.9 kg/m2, 10.2% BMI 35.0-39.9 kg/m2, and 4.6% BMI ≥ 40.0 kg/m2. All outcome measures improved between preoperative and 12-month follow-up (p < 0.001). In pairwise comparisons against normal weight patients, patients with class I-II obesity showed larger improvement on the WOMAC function and total score. For WOMAC pain improvements were larger for all three obesity classes. CONCLUSIONS: Post-operative improvement in joint-specific outcomes was larger in obese patients compared to normal weight patients. These findings suggest that obese patients may have the greatest benefits from TKA with regard to function and pain relief one year post-op. Well balanced treatment decisions should fully account for both: Higher benefits in terms of pain relief and function as well as increased potential risks and complications. Trial registration This trial has been registered with the ethics committee of Eastern Switzerland (EKOS; Project-ID: EKOS 2020-00,879).

Minimal important differences for the WOMAC osteoarthritis index and the Forgotten Joint Score-12 in total knee arthroplasty patients.

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an effective treatment for end-stage osteoarthritis. Patient reported-outcome measures (PROMs) capture the patients' perception of the success of an intervention. The minimal important difference (MID) is an important characteristic of the PROM, which helps to interpret results. The aim of this study was to identify the MID for the Forgotten Joint Score-12 (FJS-12) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index. METHODS: Data were collected in a prospective cohort study. Patients were asked to complete the FJS-12, WOMAC osteoarthritis index and transition items evaluating change over time to determine the MID. We employed an anchor-based methodology relating score change to the response categories of the transition items using both binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: Data from 199 patients were analysed. Mean age was 72.3 years, 58% were women. Employing binary logistic regression the MID for the FJS-12 was 10.8 points, for the WOMAC pain score 7.5 points and for the WOMAC function score 7.2 points. ROC analyses found a MID of 13.0 points for the FJS-12, 12.5 points for WOMAC pain and 14.7 points for WOMAC function. CONCLUSION: We report MIDs for the FJS-12 and the WOMAC Pain and Function scales in a TKA patient cohort, which can be used to interpret meaningful differences in score. In line with previous research, we found more advanced statistical methods to result in smaller MID estimates for both scores. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Written consent for this study was obtained from all participants and ethical approval was granted by the local ethics committee (Ethikkommission St. Gallen; EKSG 14/973; Registered 03 July 2014; http://www.sg.ch/home/gesundheit/ethikkommission.html).

Single-item satisfaction scores mask large variations in pain, function and joint awareness in patients following total joint arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Single-item questions assessing patient satisfaction following total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA) provide immediate and comprehensible information. However, they have limited reliability as satisfaction as a concept is influenced by factors unrelated to surgery. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate variation in pain, function and joint awareness relative to the patients' satisfaction response following THA/TKA. METHODS: We analysed absolute and improvement scores on the Oxford Knee or Hip score (OKS or OHS) and the Forgotten Joint Score-12 (FJS-12) across satisfaction groups. Patient-reported outcome measures were assessed prior to surgery and at 12-month follow-up. Postoperative satisfaction was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale single-item question. RESULTS: We analysed data from 434 TKA patients (mean age 70.4 ± 9.2 years; 54.8% female) and 247 THA patients (mean age 67.3 ± 11.8 years; 57.5% female). Satisfied or very satisfied patients showed higher absolute scores and better improvement in function, pain and joint awareness at 12 months (both, p < 0.001). 13.4% of (very) satisfied THA patients scored equally or worse on the FJS-12 than before surgery. On the OHS, this percentage was 2.8%. In TKAs, these percentages were 7.0% on the FJS-12 and 3.2% on the OKS. CONCLUSIONS: While higher satisfaction is associated with better patient-reported outcomes and stronger postoperative improvement, a certain percentage of patients score poorly while reporting a high satisfaction. Our results highlight the difficulty in interpreting the meaning of a single satisfaction question, as this provides limited information on patients' treatment outcome and may be biased by factors unrelated to the intervention.

The anterolateral ligament and the deep structures of the iliotibial tract: MRI visibility in the paediatric patient.

PURPOSE: To assess the visibility of both the anterolateral ligament (ALL) and the deep structures of the iliotibial tract (ITT) by means of MRI in paediatric patients. To determine reproducibility for such measurements. METHODS: Knee MRI data from patients aged <18a without lesions of the capsule or ligaments, fractures, bone edemas, foreign material or motion artifacts were analyzed by two musculoskeletal radiologists separately and twice. The visibility of the different parts of the ALL was determined (femoral, meniscal, tibial parts). Similarly, the visibility of the different parts of the deep ITT was determined: deep attachments of the ITT to the distal femur (insertion near septum, supracondylar insertion and retrograde insertion) and capsulo-osseous layer of the ITT. RESULTS: We studied 61 cases (36 female, 25 male). Age was 15 years (±2.3). Interobserver agreement was high. Cohen's Kappa was 0.864 (95%CI: 0.715-1.000) for the tibial part of the ALL and 1.0 for the femoral part of the ALL. For the deep attachments of the ITT to the distal femur Kappa was 0.828 (95%CI: 0.685-0.971). Regarding intraobserver agreement, Cohen's Kappa was 1.0 for the femoral part of the ALL and 0.955 (95%CI: 0.867-1.000) for the tibial part of the ALL. For the deep attachments of the ITT to the distal femur Cohen's Kappa was 0.896 (95%CI: 0.782-1.000). CONCLUSION: On the basis of our findings it is concluded that the presence of the anterolateral structures of the knee can be determined by MRI in a pediatric population with substantial inter- and intraobserver agreement. This is true for both the ALL and the deep structures of the ITT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic study - Level 3.

Results of universal ultrasound screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip: a prospective follow-up of 28 092 consecutive infants.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to analyze the incidence of the different ultrasound phenotypes of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), and to determine their subsequent course. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of 28 092 neonates was screened and classified according to the Graf method as part of a nationwide surveillance programme, and then followed prospectively. Abnormal hips were followed until they became normal (Graf type I). Type IIb hips and higher grades were treated by abduction in a Tübinger orthosis until normal. Dislocated hips underwent closed or open reduction. RESULTS: Overall, 90.2% of hips were normal at birth. Type IIa hips (8.9%) became normal at a median of six weeks (interquartile range (IQR) 6 to 9). Type IIc and IId hips (0.67%) became normal after ten weeks (IQR 7 to 13). There were 19 type lll and eight type lV hips at baseline. There were 24 closed reductions and one open reduction. No late presentations of DDH were detected within the first five years of life. CONCLUSION: The incidence of DDH was eight per 1000 live births. The treatment rate was 1% (n = 273). The rate of first operations on the newborn hip was 0.86, and rate of open surgery was 0.04. The cumulative rate of open surgery was 0.07. The authors take the view that early identification and treatment in abduction of all dysplastic hips in early childhood reduces the rate of open reduction and secondary DDH-related surgery later in life. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:1399-1404.

Patient-reported outcome metrics following total knee arthroplasty are influenced differently by patients' body mass index.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the impact of body mass index (BMI) on improvement in patient outcomes (pain, function, joint awareness, general health and satisfaction) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Data were obtained for primary TKAs performed at a single centre over a 12-month period. Data were collected pre-operatively and 12-month postoperatively with the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) measuring pain and function, the EQ-5D-3L measuring general health status, the Forgotten Joint Score-12 (FJS-12) measuring joint awareness and a single question on treatment satisfaction. Change in scores following surgery was compared across the BMI categories identified by the World Health Organization (< 25.0, 25.0-29.9, 30.0-34.9, 35.0-39.9 and ≥ 40.0). Differences in postoperative improvement between the BMI groups were analysed with an overall Kruskal-Wallis test, with post hoc pairwise comparisons between BMI groups with Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: Of 402 patients [mean age 70.7 (SD 9.2); 55.2% women] 15.7% were normal weight (BMI < 25.0), 33.1% were overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9), 28.2% had class I obesity (BMI 30.0-34.9), 16.2% had class II obesity (BMI 35.0-39.9), and 7.0% had class III obesity (BMI ≥ 40.0). Postoperative change in OKS (n.s.) and EQ-5D-3L (n.s.) was not associated with BMI. Higher BMI group was associated with less improvement in FJS-12 scores (p = 0.010), reflecting a greater awareness of the operated joint during activity in the most obese patients. Treatment satisfaction was associated with BMI category (p = 0.029), with obese patients reporting less satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: In TKA patients, outcome parameters are influenced differently by BMI. Our study showed a negative impact of BMI on postoperative improvement in joint awareness and satisfaction scores, but there was no influence on pain, function or general health scores. This information may be useful in terms of setting expectations expectation in obese patients planning to undergo TKA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1.

What makes patients aware of their artificial knee joint?

BACKGROUND: Joint awareness was recently introduced as a new concept for outcome assessment after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Findings from qualitative and psychometric studies suggest that joint awareness is a distinct concept especially relevant to patients with good surgical outcome and patients at late follow-up time points. The aim of this study was to improve the understanding of the concept of joint awareness by identifying situations in which patients are aware of their artificial knee joint and to investigate what bodily sensations and psychological factors raise a patient's awareness of her/his knee. In addition, we evaluated the relative importance of patient-reported outcome parameters that are commonly assessed in orthopaedics. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted with patients being at least 12 months after TKA. The interviews focused on when, where and for what reasons patients were aware of their artificial knee joint. To evaluate the relative importance of 'joint awareness' after TKA among nine commonly assessed outcome parameters (e.g. pain or stiffness), we collected importance ratings ('0' indicating no importance at all and '10' indicating high importance). RESULTS: We conducted interviews with 40 TKA patients (mean age 69.0 years; 65.0% female). Joint awareness was found to be frequently triggered by kneeling on the floor (30%), climbing stairs (25%), and starting up after resting (25%). Patients reported joint awareness to be related to activities of daily living (68%), specific movements (60%), or meteoropathy (18%). Sensations causing joint awareness included pain (45%) or stiffness (15%). Psychological factors raising a patient's awareness of his/her knee comprised for example feelings of insecurity (15%), and fears related to revision surgeries, inflammations or recurring pain (8%). Patients' importance ratings of outcome parameters were generally high and did not allow differentiating clearly among them. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified a wide range of situations, activities, movements and psychological factors contributing to patients' awareness of their artificial knee joints. This improves the understanding of the concept of joint awareness and of a patient's perception of his/her artificial knee joint. The diversity of sensations and factors raising patient's awareness of their joint encourages taking a broader perspective on outcome after TKA.

Validation of the German version of the Kujala score in patients with patellofemoral instability: a prospective multi-centre study.

INTRODUCTION: The Kujala score is the most frequently used questionnaire for patellofemoral disorders like pain, instability or osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, we are not aware of a validated German version of the Kujala score. The aim of our study was the translation and linguistic validation of the Kujala score in German-speaking patients with patella instability and the assessment of its measurement characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The German Kujala score was developed in several steps of translation. In addition to healthy controls, the Kujala German was assessed in consecutive patients undergoing reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament for recurrent patellar dislocations. Pre-op, 6 and 12 months postop the patients completed the Kujala German score, the KOOS, the Lysholm score, a VAS Pain, and the SF-12v2 scores. In addition, there was a Kujala German Score retest preop after a 1-week interval. RESULTS: We found high reliability in terms of internal consistency for the Kujala score (Cronbach's alpha = 0.87). Convergent validity with the KOOS (symptom r = 0.65, pain r = 0.78, ADL r = 0.74, sports/recreation r = 0.84, quality of life r = 0.70), the Lysholm score (r = 0.88) and the SF-12 physical component summary score (r = 0.79) and VAS pain (r = - 0.71) was also very high. Discriminant validity in terms of correlation with the SF-12 mental component summary Score was satisfactory (r = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the German version of the Kujala score proved to be a reliable and valid instrument in the setting of a typical patellofemoral disease treated with a standard patellofemoral procedure.

Validation of the English language Forgotten Joint Score-12 as an outcome measure for total hip and knee arthroplasty in a British population.

AIMS: To validate the English language Forgotten Joint Score-12 (FJS-12) as a tool to evaluate the outcome of hip and knee arthroplasty in a United Kingdom population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients undergoing surgery between January and August 2014 were eligible for inclusion. Prospective data were collected from 205 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and 231 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Outcomes were assessed with the FJS-12 and the Oxford Hip and Knee Scores (OHS, OKS) pre-operatively, then at six and 12 months post-operatively. Internal consistency, convergent validity, effect size, relative validity and ceiling effects were determined. RESULTS: Data for the TKA and THA patients showed high internal consistency for the FJS-12 (Cronbach α = 0.97 in TKAs, 0.98 in THAs). Convergent validity with the Oxford Scores was high (r = 0.85 in TKAs, r = 0.79 for THAs). From six to 12 months, the change was higher for the FJS-12 than for the OHS in THA patients (effect size d = 0.21 versus -0.03). Ceiling effects at one-year follow-up were low for the FJS-12 with just 3.9% (TKA) and 8.8% (THA) of patients achieving the best possible score. CONCLUSION: The FJS-12 has strong measurement properties in terms of validity, internal consistency and sensitivity to change in TKA and THA patients. Low ceiling effects and good relative validity allow the monitoring of longer term outcomes, particularly in well-performing groups after total joint arthroplasty. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:218-24.

Cancer patients' understanding of longitudinal EORTC QLQ-C30 scores presented as bar charts.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cancer patients' understanding of graphical presentations of longitudinal EORTC QLQ-C30 scores. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with brain tumour patients participating in routine patient-reported outcome (PRO) monitoring. We assessed understanding of longitudinal quality of life (QOL) profiles, presented as bar charts objectively and with self-ratings. In addition, patients' opinions on congruency of the QOL scores with their self-perceived health status were evaluated. RESULTS: We recruited 40 brain tumour patients (57.5% female; mean age 52.7, SD 13.7). In total, 90% of patients rated the graphs as easy to understand. Accordingly, almost all questions on assessing understanding objectively were answered correctly by at least 80% of the patients. More than 95% indicated that the displayed QOL scores matched their personal perception of symptom burden and functional health in the observed period. CONCLUSION: Patients are able to understand their QOL results when presented graphically and are able to interpret important changes. Displayed QOL scores obtained with the EORTC QLQ-C30 are consistent with the patients' personal perception of physical and emotional functioning, pain and fatigue. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Knowledge about patients' understanding of graphically displayed QOL results contributes to creation of optimal evidence-based feedback on the patients' present QOL and its trajectory.

Responsiveness and ceiling effects of the Forgotten Joint Score-12 following total hip arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the responsiveness and ceiling/floor effects of the Forgotten Joint Score -12 and to compare these with that of the more widely used Oxford Hip Score (OHS) in patients six and 12 months after primary total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: We prospectively collected data at six and 12 months following total hip arthroplasty from 193 patients undergoing surgery at a single centre. Ceiling effects are outlined with frequencies for patients obtaining the lowest or highest possible score. Change over time from six months to 12 months post-surgery is reported as effect size (Cohen's d). RESULTS: The mean OHS improved from 40.3 (sd 7.9) at six months to 41.9 (sd 7.2) at 12 months. The mean FJS-12 improved from 56.8 (sd 30.1) at six months to 62.1 (sd 29.0) at 12 months. At six months, 15.5% of patients reached the best possible score (48 points) on the OHS and 8.3% obtained the best score (100 points) on the FJS-12. At 12 months, this percentage increased to 20.8% for the OHS and to 10.4% for the FJS-12. In terms of the effect size (Cohen's d), the change was d = 0.10 for the OHS and d = 0.17 for the FJS-12. CONCLUSIONS: The FJS-12 is more responsive to change between six and 12 months following total hip arthroplasty than is the OHS, with the measured ceiling effect for the OHS twice that of the FJS-12. The difference in effect size of change results in substantial differences in required sample size if aiming to detect change between these two time points. This has important implications for powering clinical trials with patient-reported measures as the primary outcome.Cite this article: Dr D. F. Hamilton. Responsiveness and ceiling effects of the Forgotten Joint Score-12 following total hip arthroplasty. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:87-91. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.53.2000480.

The impact of comorbidity on health-related quality of life in elderly patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.

The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether the presence of comorbidities was associated with a lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in elderly patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). A sample of 174 CML patients aged 60 years or above was analyzed. HRQOL was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). A number of pre-selected sociodemographic and disease-related factors were considered as potential confounding factors for the association between comorbidity and HRQOL. Mean age of the 174 patients analyzed was 70 years (range 60-87 years) and 55 % were male. Overall, 111 patients (64 %) reported at least one comorbidity. Analysis stratified by age group category showed a greater proportion of patients with comorbidities in the older sub-group population (≥70 years) compared to younger patients (60 to 69 years). Differences in HRQOL outcomes between patients with no comorbidity at all and those with two or more comorbid conditions were at least twice the magnitude of a clinically meaningful difference in all the physical and mental health scales of the SF-36. In multivariate analysis, after adjusting for key confounding factors, the following scales were significantly lower in those with comorbidity: general health (p < 0.001), bodily pain (p < 0.001), physical functioning (p = 0.002), and vitality (p = 0.002). Assessing comorbidity in elderly patients with CML is important to facilitate identification of those most in need of HRQOL improvements.

Patients' and health professionals' understanding of and preferences for graphical presentation styles for individual-level EORTC QLQ-C30 scores.

PURPOSE: To investigate patients' and health professionals' understanding of and preferences for different graphical presentation styles for individual-level EORTC QLQ-C30 scores. METHODS: We recruited cancer patients (any treatment and diagnosis) in four European countries and health professionals in the Netherlands. Using a questionnaire, we assessed objective and self-rated understanding of QLQ-C30 scores and preferences for five presentation styles (bar and line charts, with or without color coding, and a heat map). RESULTS: In total, 548 patients and 227 health professionals participated. Eighty-three percent of patients and 85 % of professionals self-rated the graphs as very or quite easy to understand; this did not differ between graphical presentation styles. The mean percentage of correct answers to questions objectively assessing understanding was 59 % in patients, 78 % in medical specialists, and 74 % in other health professionals. Objective understanding did not differ between graphical formats in patients. For non-colored charts, 49.8 % of patients did not have a preference. Colored bar charts (39 %) were preferred over heat maps (20 %) and colored line charts (12 %). Medical specialists preferred heat maps (46 %) followed by non-colored bar charts (19 %), whereas these charts were equally valued by other health professionals (both 32 %). CONCLUSION: The substantial discrepancy between participants' high self-rated and relatively low objective understanding of graphical presentation of PRO results highlights the need to provide sufficient guidance when presenting such results. It may be appropriate to adapt the presentation of PRO results to individual preferences. This could be facilitated when PROs are administered and presented to patients and health professionals electronically.

Evaluation of electronic patient-reported outcome assessment with cancer patients in the hospital and at home.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) provide a more comprehensive picture of patients' quality of life than do mere physicians' ratings. Electronic data collection of PRO offers several advantages and allows assessments at patients' homes as well. This study reports on patients' personal internet use, their attitudes towards electronic and web-based PRO assessment (clinic-ePRO and home-ePRO) and the feasibility of these two assessment modes. METHODS: At the Medical University of Innsbruck and Kufstein County Hospital, cancer patients who participated in clinic-ePRO/home-ePRO were asked to complete a comprehensive evaluation form on their personal internet usage, attitudes towards and the feasibility of routine clinic-ePRO/home-ePRO with the Computer-based Health Evaluation System (CHES) software. RESULTS: In total, 113 patients completed the evaluation form for clinic-ePRO (Ø 45 years, SD 14) and 45 patients for home-ePRO (Ø 58 years, SD 10; 33.1 per cent inclusion rate for this sample). Most patients expressed willingness to complete routine clinic-ePRO assessments in the future (94.7 per cent of clinic-ePRO patients and 84.4 per cent of home-ePRO patients) and to discuss their data with attending physicians (82.2 per cent, home-ePRO patients only). Overall, patients preferred the software over paper-pencil questionnaires (67.2 per cent of clinic-ePRO patients and 60 per cent of home-ePRO patients) and experienced it as easy to use. Only a few minor suggestions for improvement were made (e.g. adjustable font sizes). CONCLUSIONS: The use of clinic-ePRO/home-ePRO was in general shown to be feasible and well accepted. However, to be more inclusive in the implementation of clinic-ePRO/home-ePRO, educational programs concerning their particular benefit in oncology practice potentially could enhance patients' attitudes towards, and consequently their acceptance of and compliance with electronic PRO assessments.

Making the Oxford Hip and Knee Scores meaningful at the patient level through normative scoring and registry data.

OBJECTIVES: The Oxford Hip and Knee Scores (OHS, OKS) have been demonstrated to vary according to age and gender, making it difficult to compare results in cohorts with different demographics. The aim of this paper was to calculate reference values for different patient groups and highlight the concept of normative reference data to contextualise an individual's outcome. METHODS: We accessed prospectively collected OHS and OKS data for patients undergoing lower limb joint arthroplasty at a single orthopaedic teaching hospital during a five-year period. T-scores were calculated based on the OHS and OKS distributions. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 3203 total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients and 2742 total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients. The mean age of the patient was 68.0 years (sd 11.3, 58.4% women) in the THA group and in 70.2 (sd 9.4; 57.5% women) in the TKA group. T-scores were calculated for age and gender subgroups by operation. Different T-score thresholds are seen at different time points pre and post surgery. Values are further stratified by operation (THA/TKA) age and gender. CONCLUSIONS: Normative data interpretation requires a fundamental shift in the thinking as to the use of the Oxford Scores. Instead of reporting actual score points, the patient is rated by their relative position within the group of all patients undergoing the same procedure. It is proposed that this form of transformation is beneficial (a) for more appropriately comparing different patient cohorts and (b) informing an individual patient how they are progressing compared with others of their age and gender. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2015;4:137-144.

Mini-midvastus total knee arthroplasty does not result in superior gait pattern.

PURPOSE: Previous studies dealing with gait after minimally invasive surgery (MIS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are rare and insufficient. It was the purpose of the study to determine in a prospective, comparative setting whether MIS influences the outcome of TKA in terms of typical 3D gait parameters. METHODS: Patients scheduled for TKA or MIS TKA were invited to participate. MIS TKA was defined as TKA with shorter skin incision, mini-midvastus arthrotomy, special instruments, and avoidance of tibiofemoral dislocation and patella eversion. All other intra- and perioperative aspects were identical for both groups. A 3D gait analysis was performed with a VICON system 1 month preoperative and 8 weeks post-operative. A multivariate analysis of variance was conducted including the main effects time (pre- and post-surgery) and surgical group and the group-by-time interaction effect. RESULTS: Seventeen MIS TKA patients and 20 TKA patients were eligible for the final analysis. We determined neither inter-group differences nor time × group interactions for any gait variables (temporospatial, ground reaction forces, joint angles and joint moments)­except for the varus-valgus knee kinematics. In pre- to post-operative comparison, the maximum valgus sway increased in the MIS group, whereas it decreased in the conventional group (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: From our findings, it was concluded that MIS TKA does not result in a superior walking pattern 8 weeks post-operative. Because we previously also observed mini-midvastus MIS TKA to have equal or slightly inferior results with regard to knee scores, knee torque, radiographic outcome and tourniquet/operating time, we discontinued the procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prospective comparative study, Therapy, Level II.

Comparative responsiveness of outcome measures for total knee arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the responsiveness of various patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and clinician-reported outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) over a 2-year period. METHODS: Data were collected in a prospective cohort study of primary TKA. Patients who had completed Forgotten Joint Score-12 (FJS-12), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis (OA) index, EQ-5D, Knee Society Score and range of movement (ROM) assessment were included. Five time points were assessed: pre-operative, 2 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years post-operative. RESULTS: Data from 98 TKAs were available for analysis. Largest effect sizes (ES) for change from pre-operative to 2-month follow-up were observed for the Knee Society Score (KSS) Knee score (1.70) and WOMAC Total (-1.50). For the period from 6 months to 1 year the largest ES for change were shown by the FJS-12 (0.99) and the KSS Function Score (0.88). The EQ-5D showed the strongest ceiling effect at 1-year follow-up with 84.4% of patients scoring the maximum score. ES for the time from 1- to 2-year follow-up were largest for the FJS-12 (0.50). All other outcome measures showed ES equal or below 0.30. CONCLUSION: Outcome measures differ considerably in responsiveness, especially beyond one year post-operatively. Joint-specific outcome measures are more responsive than clinician-reported or generic health outcome tools. The FJS-12 was the most responsive of the tools assessed; suggesting that joint awareness may be a more discerning measure of patient outcome than traditional PROMs.