The impact of pelvic balance, physical activity, and fear-avoidance on the outcome after decompression and instrumented fusion for degenerative lumbar stenosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of pelvic balance, physical activity, and fear-avoidance in a cohort of patients undergoing decompression and instrumented fusion for degenerative lumbar stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study includes consecutive patients undergoing decompression and instrumented fusion for degenerative lumbar stenosis by one main surgeon from January 2014 to January 2015. Patients were interviewed by a psychologist and underwent standing whole spine X-ray. Lumbar and pelvic parameters (PI, SS, PT, iPT, LL) were measured by an independent spinal surgeon. Physical activity was measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The "fear-avoidance" was measured with the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK). Back pain was assessed by the Graphic Rating Scale (GRS). The disability was assessed by the Roland-Morris Low Back Pain and Disability Questionnaire. Statistical interpretation of the data was performed using SPSS v19 software (SPSS Inc, Chicago, Illinois). RESULTS: The sample included 51 patients underwent standard posterior laminectomy and instrumented fusion. Surgery has a positive global impact on the perceived low back pain. No significant (Spearman) correlations emerged among pelvic parameters and the pre- and post-surgical GSR. Patients were divided into three groups according to the IPAQ scores after the operation: "inactive" (I), "minimally inactive" (m-I), and "HEPA". Significant differences emerged between IPAQ and Roland-Morris scores (F(2, 48) = 5.48, p = 0.007): the "inactive" (M(R-M) = 11.3) or "minimally active" (M(R-M) = 9.8) groups scored significantly higher than the "HEPA" group (M(R-M) = 4.7). Tampa scores correlated with gender (rho = -0.408, p = 0.003) and with BMI (rho = -0.369, p = 0.008). Females and obese patients reported higher levels of Tampa scores. Significant relationship was found between Tampa scores and pre-GSR (rho(pre) = 0.250, p = 0.08) and significant with post-surgical GSR (rho(post) = 0.275, p = 0.05) and with post-Roland-Morris score (rho(post) = 0.599, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The fear-avoidance and the physical inactivity are related to the highest levels of low back pain, more than pelvic imbalance. "Inactive" and "fear-avoidant" patients have also the worst outcome after surgery and the worst level of disability.

Efficacy of once- versus thrice-weekly subcutaneous recombinant human erythropoietin in children receiving continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis.

The subcutaneous administration of recombinant human erythropoietin is effective in the treatment of anemia of end-stage renal disease. Single-dose pharmacokinetic studies suggest the possibility of less frequent dosing via the subcutaneous route. In this study, dosing once-weekly was as effective as thrice-weekly subcutaneous dosing in maintaining the corrected hematocrit in a group of children receiving continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis. This regimen was preferred by and beneficial to both patients and their parents.