Objective Laser‐based tissue perfusion monitoring techniques have been increasingly used in animal and human research to assess blood flow. However, these techniques use arbitrary units, and knowledge about their comparability is scarce. This study aimed to model the relationship between laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) and laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI), for measuring tissue perfusion over a wide range of blood flux values. Methods Fifteen healthy volunteers (53% female, median age 29 [IQR 22–40] years) were enrolled in this study. We performed iontophoresis with sodium nitroprusside on the forearm to induce regional vasodilation to increase skin blood flux. Besides, a stepwise vascular occlusion was applied on the contralateral upper arm to reduce blood flux. Both techniques were compared using a linear mixed model analysis. Results Baseline blood flux values measured by LSCI were 33 ± 6.5 arbitrary unit (AU) (Coefficient of variation [CV] = 20%) and by LDPI 60 ± 11.5 AU (CV = 19%). At the end of the iontophoresis protocol, the regional blood flux increased to 724 ± 412% and 259 ± 87% of baseline measured by LDPI and LSCI, respectively. On the other hand, during the stepwise vascular occlusion test, the blood flux reduced to 212 ± 40% and 412 ± 177% of its baseline at LDPI and LSCI, respectively. A strong correlation was found between the LSCI and LDPI instruments at increased blood flux with respect to baseline skin blood flux; however, the correlation was weak at reduced blood flux with respect to baseline. Discussion LSCI and LDPI instruments are highly linear for blood flux higher than baseline skin blood flux; however, the correlation decreased for blood flux lower than baseline. This study's findings could be a basis for using LSCI in specific patient populations, such as burn care.

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ObjectivesTo classify patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in an earlier stage of the disease, the ACR/EULAR classification criteria were updated in 2010. These criteria might have led to an increased incidence of RA in the rheumatology clinic. Since a higher incidence increases the socio-economic burden of RA, it is worthwhile to evaluate whether there is a time effect.Materials and methodsA systematic review was conducted using Embase, Medline Ovid, Cochrane Central, and Web of Science from database inception to February 2021. Included were only articles that addressed incidence rates of rheumatoid arthritis from rheumatology outpatient clinics.ResultsOf the 6,289 publications only 243 publications on RA were found eligible for full-text review. Nine studies were included reporting incidence. The pooled incidence for RA was 11% (95% CI 6–16%) per year. Over time the incidence increased after the introduction of the 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria. Overall there was a high intragroup heterogeneity (I2 = 97.93%, p < 0.001), caused by geographical area, study design and differences in case definitions.ConclusionAlthough the incidence seems to increase after the introduction of the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria, no conclusions can be drawn on this time effect due to heterogeneity.

Introduction: Inadequate pain management remains a problem in the emergency department (ED) and might increase the risk of chronic pain. Previous studies suggested that pain intensity is associated with pain chronification in specific patient groups. This study aims to study the association between pain intensity {[verbal] numeric rating scale ([V]NRS) $ 7} at discharge from the ED and pain chronification in the general population. Objective: To assess whether a high pain score at discharge from the ED increases the risk of chronic pain development. Methods: Adults who visited the ED with pain as their main complaint, and who were not hospitalized, were eligible for inclusion. Chronic pain was defined as pain with an (V)NRS score $1 90 days after the ED visit and with a similar location to the acute pain. Results: We included 1906 patients, of whom 825 participants completed 90 days of follow-up. Approximately 34.1% left the ED with an (V)NRS score $7, and 67.8% reported an (V)NRS score of $1 90 at days. Of all patients leaving the ED with an (V)NRS score $7, 76.5% developed chronic pain vs 63.2% of patients with (V)NRS score ,7 (P , 0.01). After correction, this difference was borderline statistically significant with an odds ratio of 1.45 (95% confidence interval: 0.99-2.13, P 5 0.054). Various sensitivity analyses using a different (V)NRS at discharge and different definitions of chronic pain at 90 days showed a significant difference in the chronification of pain. Conclusion: This study suggests that pain intensity at discharge from the ED, regardless of the localization or cause of pain, increased the risk of developing chronic pain. By distinguishing patients at risk and providing an effective treatment, chronic pain and the associated burden of disease might be preventable.

Background: Geriatric hip fracture patients are fragile and mostly suffering from multiple comorbidities, such as cognitive or cardiovascular disease, in which the use of antiplatelet therapy or vitamin K antagonists is common. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of antiplatelet therapy and vitamin K antagonists on perioperative care and patient outcome after hip hemiarthroplasty in daily practice.Methods: Patients with a femoral neck fracture requiring hip hemiarthroplasty were included in the study. Data were extracted from a prospective hip fracture database and completed by retrospective review of the hospital records at two level II trauma centers between January 1st 2010 and May 16th 2016. Results: 907 patients (68% female) were included, with a median age of 84 (IQR 78-88), of which 415 (46%) used any sort of anticoagulation. Anticoagulation medication was associated with more packed cell supplementation; 0.33 units (±0.88) vs. 0.15 units (±0.61) (P=<0.001). Also, more hematoma’s were found for patients with anticoagulation, 19.5% versus 11.4%, P= 0.001. Patients using vitamin K antagonists needed more days to be ready for discharge compared to patients without anticoagulation, 5.5 days (4-9) versus 4 days (3-7), P = < 0.001.There was no significant difference in 30-day or 1-year mortality after surgery, nor in time to surgery. Conclusion: Patients using any sort of anticoagulation are in need of more packed cell supplementation, develop more hematomas and need more days to be ready for discharge, compared to patients without anticoagulation use. Also prolonged time to surgery was found for patients using vitamin K antagonists.