Our results showed there to be reliability and responsiveness of five postural parameters in hip OA patients in two conditions of standing balance. More parameters were significantly different in narrowed stance whereas sensitivity was better in standard stance. SD velocity and RMS(AP) discriminate between degrees of OA severity and highlight potential balance deficits even after arthroplasty. Selected parameters during standing balance could be assessed to complete the set of quantitative measures to quantify hip OA patient deficiencies.

BackgroundPrimary orthostatic tremor (POT) is a movement disorder characterized by unsteadiness upon standing still due to a tremor affecting the legs. It is a gradually progressive condition with limited treatment options. Impairments in health-related quality of life (HQoL) seem to far exceed the physical disability associated with the condition.MethodsA multi-center, mixed-methodology study was undertaken to investigate 40 consecutive patients presenting with POT to four movement disorder centers in France. HQoL was investigated using eight quantitative scales and a qualitative study which employed semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data were analyzed with a combination of grounded-theory approach.ResultsOur results confirm that HQoL in POT is severely affected. Fear of falling was identified as the main predictor of HQoL. The qualitative arm of our study explored our initial results in greater depth and uncovered themes not identified by the quantitative approach.ConclusionOur results illustrate the huge potential of mixed methodology in identifying issues influencing HQoL in POT. Our work paves the way for enhanced patient care and improved HQoL in POT and is paradigmatic of this modern approach for investigating HQoL issues in chronic neurological disorders.

Objective: This pragmatic, multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to compare the effectiveness, safety, and costeutility of a custom-made knee brace versus usual care over 1 year in medial knee osteoarthritis (OA). Design: 120 patients with medial knee OA (VAS pain at rest >40/100), classified as KellgreneLawrence grade II-IV, were randomized into two groups: ODRA plus usual care (ODRA group) and usual care alone (UCA group). The primary effectiveness outcome was the change in VAS pain between M0 and M12. Secondary outcomes included changes over 1 year in KOOS (function) and OAKHQOL (quality of life) scores. Drug consumption, compliance, safety of the knee brace, and costeutility over 1 year were also assessed. Results: The ODRA group was associated with a higher improvement in: VAS pain (adjusted mean difference of À11.8; 95% CI: À21.1 to À2.5); all KOOS subscales (pain: þ8.8; 95% CI: 1.4e16.2); other symptoms (þ10.4; 95% CI: 2.7e18); function in activities of daily living (þ9.2; 95% CI: 1.1e17.2); function in sports and leisure (þ12.3; 95% CI: 4.3e20.3); quality of life (þ9.9; 95% CI: 0.9e15.9), OAKHQOL subscales (pain: þ14.8; 95% CI: 5.0e24.6); and physical activities (þ8.2; 95% CI: 0.6e15.8), and with a significant decrease in analgesics consumption at M12 compared with the UCA group. Despite localized side-effects, observance was good at M12 (median: 5.3 h/day). The ODRA group had a more than 85% chance of being cost-effective for a willingness-to-pay threshold of V45 000 per QALY.

AEx frequency did not differ significantly between low and medium/high SES patients, but differences were found in the management of AEx. Studies are needed to better understand the relation between precariousness and management of asthma.

No abstract