As of 2012, what are the key predictive risk factors for pressure ulcers? Developing French guidelines for clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: An evaluation of predictive risk factors for pressure ulcers is essential in development of a preventive strategy on admission to hospitals and/or nursing homes. OBJECTIVES: Identification of the predictive factors for pressure ulcers as of 2012. METHOD: Systematic review of the literature querying the databases PASCAL Biomed, Cochrane Library and PubMed from 2000 through 2010. RESULTS: Immobility should be considered as a predictive risk factor for pressure ulcers (grade B). Undernutrition/malnutrition may also be a predictive risk factor for pressure ulcers (grade C). DISCUSSION: Even if the level of evidence is low, once these risk factors have been detected, management is essential. Sensitizing and mobilizing health care teams requires training in ways of tracking and screening. According to the experts, risk scales should be used. As decision aids, they should always be balanced and complemented by the clinical judgment of the treatment team. CONCLUSION: According to experts, it is important to know and predictively evaluate risk of pressure ulcers at the time of hospital admission. The predictive risk factors found in this study are identical to those highlighted at the 2001 consensus conference of which was PERSE was the promoter.

Which medical devices and/or local drug should be curatively used, as of 2012, for PU patients? How can granulation and epidermidalization be promoted? Developing French guidelines for clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: Management of a patient with pressure ulcer sore(s) must associate local and general treatment. OBJECTIVES: To determine which medical devices other than supports and which treatments may be used for pressure sore healing (granulation tissue and epithelization/epidermidalization) as of 2012. METHODS: Systematic review of the literature querying the databases: PASCAL Biomed, PubMed, and Cochrane library from 2000 through 2010. RESULTS: Data in the literature on granulation tissue and epithelisation/epidermidalization in pressure sore healing are poor. The level of evidence regarding the relative effectiveness of one modern dressing compared to another has remained low. However, the study data on the interest of hydrocolloid dressing compared with impregnated gases are more significant. DISCUSSION: Studies with heterogeneous results and populations have shown low power. Meta-analyses are difficult due to the wide range of therapeutic aims. Further clinical studies with adequate methodology are needed prior to elaboration of more specific recommendations. CONCLUSION: The use of hydrocolloid dressing may be recommended to improve granulation tissue development and epithelization/epidermidalization in pressure sore (Level B).

Which medical device and/or which local treatment for prevention in patients with risk factors for pressure sores in 2012? Developing French guidelines for clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: Implementation of a prevention strategy after the identification of risk factors is essential at the entrance in a care unit or in a medical-social unit. OBJECTIVES: Determine which medical devices and which treatments may be used in order to prevent pressure sore in 2012. METHOD: Systematic review of the literature using databases: Pascal, Biomed, PubMed, and Cochrane library between 2000 and 2010. RESULTS: Nursing care including use of soft product, non-irritating for the cleaning, hydration of the skin with emollients, protection of fragile skin in case of incontinence by applying a skin protector and application of dressings in front of bony prominences to reduce shear forces, remain valid (level C). DISCUSSION: Nursing cares and use of dressing in patients with high risks of pressure sores are the responsibility of the nurses. The engagement of health care teams involves screening of risk factors and the knowledge of treatments and local devices. CONCLUSION: Local preventive treatment in a patient with risk factors of pressure sore is of great interest at entrance in a care unit or in a medical-social unit.

What is the role of TPE in management of patients at risk or with pressure ulcer as of 2012? Developing French guidelines for clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: Pressure ulcer (PU) is a common complication in chronic affection, especially neurological disorders and diseases commonly diagnosed in the elderly. For a long period of time, the prevention of skin lesions was taught only in an empirical manner. The development of therapeutic patient education (TPE) sheds a new light on care management for patients with chronic pathologies. OBJECTIVES: Determine the place of TPE in persons at risk of and/or already suffering from pressure ulcer (PU) as of 2012. METHODS: The methodology used is the one promoted by SOFMER, including: a systematic review of the literature with a query of the PASCAL Biomed, PubMed and Cochrane Library databases for data from 2000 through 2010; a compendium of prevailing professional practices and advice from a committee of experts. RESULTS: The review of the literature found six studies including four controlled trials in patients with chronic neurological impairments (most of them with spinal cord injury). No studies were found regarding the elderly. The level of evidence for efficacy in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) is moderate. The clinical practice study focuses on programs currently underway, dedicated to SCI patients or elderly populations. DISCUSSION: The approach proposed through TPE has its role in a strategy aimed at preventing PU in persons at chronic risk of developing PU. The educational objectives and techniques used must be adapted to the clinical and psychological context and are debated in this review. The co-construction of programs, recommended in the official texts on therapeutic education in France, should help to tailor these programs to the patients' needs. CONCLUSION: TPE is relevant in care management or prevention of PU in persons at chronic risk, patients with spinal cord injury (Grade B) or elderly subjects (Grade C).

Care pathways in physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM): the patient after proximal humeral fracture and shoulder hemi-arthroplasty.

This document is part of the "Care Pathways in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine" series developed by the French Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Society (Sofmer) and the French Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Federation (Fedmer). For a given patient profile, each concise document describes the patient's needs, the care objectives in physical and rehabilitation medicine, the required human and material resources, the time course and the expected outcomes. The document is intended to enable physicians, decision-makers, administrators and legal and financial specialists to rapidly understand patient needs and the available care facilities, with a view to organizing and pricing these activities appropriately. Here, patients with acute proximal humeral fracture requiring shoulder hemi-arthroplasty are classified into four care sequences and two clinical categories, both of which are treated according to the same six parameters and by taking account of personal and environmental factors (according to the WHO's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) that may influence patient needs.

Care pathways in physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM): the patient after shoulder stabilization surgery.

This document is part of the "Care pathways in physical and rehabilitation medicine" series developed by the French Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Society (SOFMER) and the French Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Federation (FEDMER). For a given patient profile, each concise document describes the patient's needs, the care objectives in physical and rehabilitation medicine, the required human and material resources, the time course and the expected outcomes. The document is intended to enable physicians, decision-makers, administrators and legal and financial specialists to rapidly understand patient needs and the available care facilities, with a view to organizing and pricing these activities appropriately. Here, patients with shoulder instability requiring surgical stabilization are classified into five care sequences and two clinical categories, each of which are treated according to the same six parameters and by taking account of personal and environmental factors (according to the WHO's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) that may influence patient needs.

Which medical device and/or which local treatment are to be used, as of 2012, in patients with infected pressure sore? Developing French guidelines for clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: Taking care of a patient with an infected pressure sore necessitates a diagnosis allowing for a suitable treatment strategy. AIMS: To choose the dressings and topical antimicrobial agents that can be used as of 2012 in treatment of an infected pressure sore. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature with queries to the databases Pascal Biomed, PubMed and Cochrane Library from 2000 through 2010. RESULTS: Diagnosis of local infection is essentially clinical. It is subsequently difficult to destroy and/or permeabilize biofilm by means of mechanical wound debridement. Application of an antimicrobial product and a disinfectant solution are of utmost importance in this respect. DISCUSSION: The studies do not demonstrate that one topical product is better than another in wound cleaning. The papers recommending antimicrobial topics lead to the conclusion that they may be interesting, but show little clinical evidence of their beneficial effects. Dressings including silver, iodine, polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) and negative pressure wound therapy could likewise be of interest, but once again, existing studies present only a low level of evidence (Grade C). CONCLUSION: Local antimicrobial treatment can be used when there are signs of local infection (Grade C). Systemic antibiotic treatment is to be used when there are general medical signs of infection (Grade B).

What is the best support surface in prevention and treatment, as of 2012, for a patient at risk and/or suffering from pressure ulcer sore? Developing French guidelines for clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: The use of support surfaces in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers prevention is an important part of care for a patient at risk and/or suffering from sore(s). OBJECTIVES: Define which support surfaces to use in prevention and treatment of at-risk and/or pressure sore patients. METHODOLOGY: A systematic review of the literature querying the several Pascal Biomed, PubMed and Cochrane Library databases from 2000 through 2010. RESULTS (GRADE A): In prevention, a structured foam mattress is more efficient than a standard hospital mattress. An alternating pressure mattress is more effective than a visco-elastic mattress limiting the occurrence heel pressure ulcers, but those that do occur are more serious. A low-air-loss bed is more efficient than a mixed pulsating air mattress in prevention of heel pressure ulcers. Some types of sheepskin can reduce sacral pressure ulcer incidence in orthopedic patients. Use of an overlay on an operating table limits the occurrence of peroperative and postoperative pressure ulcers. An air-fluidized bed improves pressure ulcer healing. DISCUSSION: The data in the literature are not always relevant and do not suffice to dictate a clinician's choices. We are compelled to recognize the methodological limitations of many studies, the lack of corporate interest in conducting such studies and the relatively small number of available trials. However, the effectiveness of some support surfaces reaches a sufficient level of evidence, especially when they are associated with postural, hydration and nutritional measures. CONCLUSION: Support surfaces are recommended in prevention and treatment of patients at risk and/or already suffering from pressure ulcer, and their use should constitute part of an overall preventive or curative strategy.

Which medical technology and/or local treatment is most conducive, as of 2012, to pressure sore debridement ? Developing French guidelines for clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: Implementation of a curative strategy at the debridement stage associates systemic therapy with local therapy. OBJECTIVES: To determine which medical devices and technology other than support surfaces and what kinds of drugs to use in order to cleanse a pressure ulcer in 2012. METHOD: A systematic review of the literature querying the databases PASCAL Biomed, Cochrane Library and PubMed from 2000 to 2010 along with a compendium of prevailing professional practices. RESULTS: Pressure sore debridement is based on local care and on the use of alginates, hydrogels and hydrocolloids. DISCUSSION: The analyzed articles do not take into account any specific stage of pressure ulcer debridement. Data that might favor some kinds of dressings show a low level of evidence. Were it possible to decide on the dressing to be used for a given indication, professionals would be better able to orient and narrow down their choices. CONCLUSION: Use of alginates and hydrogels in pressure ulcer debridement is of real interest. According to expert opinion, other dressings (irrigo-absorbents, for instance) seem promising, but have yet to receive adequate scientific validation.

Physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) care pathways: "patients after total knee arthroplasty".

This document is part of a series of documents designed by the French Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Society (SOFMER) and the French Federation of PRM (FEDMER). These documents describe the needs for or a specific type of patients; PRM care objectives, human and material resources to be implemented, chronology as well as expected outcomes. "Care pathways in PRM" is a short document designed to enable the reader (physicians, decision-maker, administrator, lawyer or finance manager) to quickly apprehend the needs of these patients and the available therapeutic care structures for proper organization and pricing of these activities. Patients after total knee arthroplasty are classified into three care sequences and two clinical categories, each one being treated with the same six parameters according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (WHO), while taking into account personal and environmental factors that could influence the needs of these patients.

Physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) care pathways: "patients after total hip arthroplasty".

This document is part of a series of documents designed by the French Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Society (SOFMER) and the French Federation of PRM (FEDMER). These documents describe the needs for or a specific type of patients; PRM care objectives, human and material resources to be implemented, chronology as well as expected outcomes. "Care pathways in PRM" is a short document designed to enable the reader (physicians, decision-maker, administrator, lawyer or finance manager) to quickly apprehend the needs of these patients and the available therapeutic care structures for proper organization and pricing of these activities. Patients after total hip arthroplasty are classified into three care sequences and two clinical categories, each one being treated with the same six parameters according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (WHO), while taking into account personal and environmental factors that could influence the needs of these patients.

Physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) care pathways: "patients after knee ligament surgery".

This document is part of a series of documents designed by the French Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Society (Sofmer) and the French Federation of PRM (Fedmer). These documents describe the needs for or a specific type of patients; PRM care objectives, human and material resources to be implemented, chronology as well as expected outcomes. "Care pathways in PRM" is a short document designed to enable the reader (physicians, decision-maker, administrator, lawyer or finance manager) to quickly apprehend the needs of these patients and the available therapeutic care structures for proper organization and pricing of these activities. Patients after knee ligament surgery are classified into four care sequences and two clinical categories, taking into account personal and environmental factors that could influence patients' needs, in accordance with the International Classification of Functioning (WHO).

Physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) care pathways: "patients after rotator cuff tear surgery".

This document is part of a series of documents designed by the French Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Society (Sofmer) and the French Federation of PRM (Fedmer). These documents describe the needs for or a specific type of patients; PRM care objectives, human and material resources to be implemented, chronology as well as expected outcomes. "Care pathways in PRM" is a short document designed to enable the reader (physicians, decision-maker, administrator, lawyer or finance manager) to quickly apprehend the needs of these patients and the available therapeutic care structures for proper organization and pricing of these activities. Patients after rotator cuff tear surgery are classified into four care sequences and two clinical categories, taking into account personal and environmental factors that could influence patients' needs, in accordance with the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) (WHO).

Education in the management of low back pain: literature review and recall of key recommendations for practice.

INTRODUCTION: Therapeutic patient education (TPE) is a continuous medical care process whose role in lower back pain (LBP) has yet to be well defined. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role and impact of TPE in the medical and surgical management of LBP. METHOD: A non-systematic literature review. RESULTS: Few formal TPE programmes have been rigorously evaluated in the context of LBP. In most cases, TPE tools have been combined with other interventional measures that vary according to the conceptual models used - thus limiting the extent to which the effect of TPE alone can be judged. Information that complies with the guidelines modifies knowledge and inappropriate beliefs. Whether formalized or not, TPE appears to modify (i) the physical disability and pain related to LBP and (ii) the patient's choice of therapy (e.g. surgery). The impact appears to be more marked in the (sub)acute phases. DISCUSSION: National and international guidelines suggest that TPE based on a biopsychosocial model has a positive impact on the patients' behaviour and treatment compliance. The cost/benefit ratio appears to be favourable. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic patient education appears to reduce the negative consequences of fear-avoidance behaviour and thus promotes treatment compliance in LBP patients, from the acute phase onwards.

What is the role of the physical medicine and rehabilitation unit after total knee arthroplasty? Clinical practice recommendations.

OBJECTIVES: To develop clinical practice guidelines concerning the interest of post-operative rehabilitation in physical medicine and functional rehabilitation (PMR) ward after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHOD: The SOFMER (French Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Society) methodology, associating a systematic literature review, collection of everyday clinical practice, and external review by a multidisciplinary expert panel, was used. Main outcomes were impairment, disability, medico-economic implications and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Post-operative rehabilitation in a PMR ward after TKA is recommended for patients because of preoperative joint stiffness, and/or associated co-morbidities. The other parameters used by French physician for post-operative rehabilitation in a PMR ward after TKA are: the self-governing of the patient at home, the wishes of the patient and the opinion of the surgeon on the post-operative functional evolution of the patients. For patients in whom sustained rehabilitation is not necessary but who cannot return home, a stay in a non-specific (non-PMR) post-operative centre could be recommended. Post-operative rehabilitation in a PMR ward after TKA could reduce the length of stay in a surgical ward and increase the functional status of patients with co-morbidities. Studies with good methodological quality are needed to evaluate the cost/benefit ratio in the French health care system. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a value of rehabilitation in a PMR ward after TKA, but good methodological quality studies are needed to evaluate the cost/benefit ratio of rehabilitation in a PMR ward after TKA in the French health care system.

What is the interest of rehabilitation in physical medicine and functional rehabilitation ward after total hip arthroplasty? Elaboration of french clinical practice guidelines.

OBJECTIVES: To develop clinical practice guidelines concerning the interest of post-operative rehabilitation in a physical medicine and functional rehabilitation (PMR) ward after total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHOD: The SOFMER (French Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Society) methodology, associating a systematic literature review, collection of everyday clinical practice, and external review by a multidisciplinary expert panel, was used. Main outcomes were impairment, disability, medico-economic implications and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Post-operative rehabilitation in a PMR ward after THA is recommended for frail patients because of their functional status, and/or associated co-morbidities, and/or post-operative complications. For patients in whom sustained rehabilitation is not necessary, but who cannot return home, a stay in a non-specific (non-PMR) post-operative center could be recommended. Post-operative rehabilitation in a PMR ward after THA could reduce the length of stay in a surgical ward and increase the functional status of patients. The total cost of the different modalities of post-operative rehabilitation after THA needs evaluation. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a value of rehabilitation in a PMR ward after THA, but good methodological quality studies are needed to evaluate the cost/benefit ratio of rehabilitation in a PMR ward after THA in the French health care system.

Is there predictive criteria for transfer of patients to a rehabilitation ward after hip and knee total arthroplasty? Elaboration of French clinical practice guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To develop clinical practice guidelines concerning predictive criteria for transfer of patients to a rehabilitation ward after hip and knee total arthroplasty. METHOD: The SOFMER (French Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Society) methodology, associating a systematic literature review, collection of everyday clinical practice, and external review by a multidisciplinary expert panel, was used. RESULTS: From systematic literature review and collection of French professional practice, we cannot distinguish the patients undergoing THA and TKA who can transfer to a rehabilitation ward. For both types of patients, the main criteria determining transfer are demographic criteria such as older age or female sex; psychosocial and environmental criteria such as living alone, feeling unable to return home directly (pre-operative education could modify this criterion); and surgeon advice based on the pre and post-operative clinical and functional status. CONCLUSION: Studies with good methodological quality are urgently needed to evaluate the use of predictive tools such as the RAPT, separating THA and TKA, and using as parameters of assessment functional status and handicap reduction.

Physical training in rehabilitation programs before and after total hip and knee arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: A review of the literature to investigate physical training in rehabilitation programs before and after hip and knee arthroplasty. METHODS: We performed a literature search of the MedLINE and Cochrane databases since 1966 to 2006 using 8 keywords for articles of literature reviews or randomized controlled trials investigating physical training before and after hip and knee arthroplasty. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The search resulted in 14 articles: 2 reviews of the literature and 7 articles of studies concerning total hip arthroplasty and 5 knee arthroplasty. Results were difficult to analyze because of the low number of patients included, a high number of dropouts, no matched control populations, different physical training protocols, and the use of functional scores or inadequate parameters. We found no randomized controlled trial concerning physical training after knee arthroplasty. CONCLUSION: Physical training does not seem benefit patients before hip or knee arthroplasty. However, the training may have benefit immediately after, and particularly well after, total hip arthroplasty.

Continuous passive motion compared with intermittent mobilization after total knee arthroplasty. Elaboration of French clinical practice guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To develop clinical practice guidelines concerning the use of continuous passive motion (CPM) compared with intermittent mobilization after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHOD: We used the SOFMER (French Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Society) methodology, combining systematic literature review and collection of everyday clinical practice concerning postoperative rehabilitation techniques and external review by a multidisciplinary expert panel, to develop the guidelines. RESULTS: The literature contains no evidence of the advantages of CPM over other techniques of mobilization, although CPM could be adjuvant therapy used to accelerate short-term recovery. However, in France, CPM remains widely used after TKA, both in orthopedic surgery units and in physical medicine and rehabilitation services. CONCLUSION: Good methodological quality studies are needed to assess different CPM modalities and compare them to alternative intermittent mobilization techniques, particularly those with therapy starting from a flexed position.