Evaluation of functionality-mobility in patients with skeletal dysplasias. Application of the STEMS tool ("everyday symptoms and mobility screening tool for skeletal dysplasias").

Individuals with differing forms of skeletal dysplasias (SD) frequently report impaired mobility and symptoms. With the objetive to evaluate mobility and associated symptoms in people with SD at an Argentinian pediatric hospital, using an Argentinian version of the Screening Tool for Everyday Mobility and Symptoms (STEMS), a simple questionnaire that allows clinicians to quickly identify the presence of symptoms associated with mobility in people with SD, while considering different environmental settings and the use of assistive devices, an analytical study of a consecutive sample of patients older than 5 years with SD and their affected relatives was carried out.Diagnosis, comorbidities, socioenvironmental, therapeutic, auxological and mobility variables were recorded. The presence and intensity of symptoms was noted through use of both the STEMS and validated scales. Descriptive, association and correlation analyzes were performed. One hundred and nineteen individuals with SD were enrolled in the study and divided into groups: Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI, n = 55), Achondroplasia (ACH, n = 36) and Other SD resulting in disproportionate short stature (n = 28). Mobility assistive devices were almost exclusively used by individuals with OI. They were more frequently used by individuals with overweight and obesity, more severe form of the disease and in the outdoor settings. Two thirds (66.4%) of the individuals assessed in this study reported pain, 87.4% reported fatigue, and 58.8% reported both pain and fatigue. The intensity of symptoms was similar between groups and correlated with age and auxological variables. The STEMS was clear, easy and quick to use for identifying presence of pain and fatigue in this population group. The STEMS proved to be a simple and useful tool for evaluating functional mobility and associated symptoms in our population of individuals with SD.

Osteogénesis imperfecta. Evaluación clínica, funcional y multidisciplinaria de 65 pacientes / Osteogenesis imperfecta. Clinical, functional and multidisciplinary evaluation of 65 patients

Introducción: La osteogénesis imperfecta es una enfermedad caracterizada por fragilidad ósea, baja estatura, alteración dentaria, escleras azules, sordera prematura y una amplia variabilidad clínica. No existe tratamiento curativo pero sí varias medidas terapéuticas para mejorar la calidad de vida. Pacientes y métodos: Se evaluaron 65 niños atendidos en forma multidisciplinaria en un hospital pediátrico de julio a diciembre del 2007. Resultados: De los 65 pacientes, 35 corresponden al tipo I y 30 a los tipos III–IV. La edad media fue de 7,76 años (rango 1,89–19,91). El tiempo de seguimiento promedio fue de 4,75 años. La mayoría de los niños estaban escolarizados para la edad. El déficit de estatura promedio fue de -1,4 sDS para el tipo I y de -5,64 sDS para el tipo III–IV. El 19% presentó sobrepeso y el 11% obesidad. La edad promedio de enclavijado en miembros inferiores fue de 6,5 años. El 44,6% de los niños presentó escoliosis y se correlacionó a la severidad de la enfermedad. La evaluación de la funcionalidad motriz por la escala de Bleck mostró que el 93% de los niños con formas leves presentaban marcha útil así como el 28% de las formas severas. La silla de rueda fue utilizada por el 25% de los niños. La herencia familiar se constató en el 65% de los casos. Conclusiones: La complejidad y la variabilidad de la enfermedad requieren un tratamiento multidisciplinario (AU)

Introduction: Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disease, in which the main clinical features are increased bone fragility, pathological fractures, blue sclera, dentinogenesis imperfecta and conductive or mixed hearing loss. Clinical variability is wide. Although there is no curative treatment, there are several therapeutic tools capable of improving the course of the condition and patient quality of life. Patients and methods: Sixty-five children seen in a Paediatric Hospital during six months in 2007 were evaluated. Results: Thirty-five were type I OI, and thirty were types III and IV. Median age was 7.8 years (range 1.9 19.2); mean length of follow up was 4.7 years. The majority of children attended regular school for their corresponding age. Mean height was −1.4 sDS and −5.64 sDS in types I and III and IV respectively. Nineteen percent of patients were overweight and 11% were obese. Mean age at first orthopaedic surgery inserting telescopic rods was 6.5 years. Scoliosis was present in 44.6% of patients and was directly related to severity. Bleck’s motor scale showed that 93% of patients with mild forms and 29% of severe forms had a sustainable walking ability. A wheelchair was used by 25% of patients. Family inheritance was confirmed in 65% of cases. Conclusions: Integral care using a multidisciplinary approach is required due to the complexity and clinical variability of the condition(AU)

[Osteogenesis imperfecta. Clinical, functional and multidisciplinary evaluation of 65 patients]. / Osteogénesis imperfecta. Evaluación clínica, funcional y multidisciplinaria de 65 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disease, in which the main clinical features are increased bone fragility, pathological fractures, blue sclera, dentinogenesis imperfecta and conductive or mixed hearing loss. Clinical variability is wide. Although there is no curative treatment, there are several therapeutic tools capable of improving the course of the condition and patient quality of life. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-five children seen in a Paediatric Hospital during six months in 2007 were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-five were type I OI, and thirty were types III-IV. Median age was 7.8 years (range 1.9-19.2); mean length of follow up was 4.7 years. The majority of children attended regular school for their corresponding age. Mean height was -1.4 sDS and -5.64 sDS in types I and III-IV respectively. Nineteen percent of patients were overweight and 11% were obese. Mean age at first orthopaedic surgery inserting telescopic rods was 6.5 years. Scoliosis was present in 44.6% of patients and was directly related to severity. Bleck's motor scale showed that 93% of patients with mild forms and 29% of severe forms had a sustainable walking ability. A wheelchair was used by 25% of patients. Family inheritance was confirmed in 65% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Integral care using a multidisciplinary approach is required due to the complexity and clinical variability of the condition.