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Biomedical subjects

J D Cassidy

Publications and source records attributed to J D Cassidy.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

The Saskatchewan health and back pain survey. The prevalence of low back pain and related disability in Saskatchewan adults.

STUDY DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional, mailed survey. OBJECTIVES: To determine the lifetime, 6-month period, and point prevalence of low back pain and its related disability among Saskatchewan adults and to investigate the presence and strength of selective response bias. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There have been many reports of the prevalence of low back pain in different populations, and the estimates vary widely depending on case definition. However, most studies fail to differentiate between trivial and disabling back pain, which raises the issue of the usefulness of these estimates. No studies have yet documented the prevalence of graded low back pain severity and its related disability in a North American, general, population-based survey. METHODS: The Saskatchewan Health and Back Pain Survey was mailed to a probability sample of 2184 Saskatchewan adults between 20 and 69 years of age. Fifty-five percent of the eligible population responded to the survey. Respondents were compared with nonrespondents, and the presence of selective response bias by back pain status was investigated by wave analysis. The point and lifetime prevalence of low back pain was determined by simple questions, and the 6-month period prevalence of low back pain was determined by the Chronic Pain Questionnaire. All estimates were age standardized to the Saskatchewan population. RESULTS: The authors estimate that at the time of the survey 28.4% (95% confidence interval, 25.6-31.1) of the Saskatchewan adult population were experiencing low back pain, and 84.1% (95% confidence interval, 81.9-86.3) had experienced it during their lifetime. Overall, 48.9% (95% confidence interval, 45.9-52.0) of the population had experienced low intensity/low-disability low back pain in the previous 6 months, 12.3% (95% confidence interval, 10.3-14.4) had experienced high-intensity/low-disability low back pain, and an additional 10.7% (95% confidence interval, 8.8-12.5) had experienced high-disability low back pain in the previous 6 months. There was little variation in the estimates over age groups, but women experienced more high-disability back pain than men. There was no evidence of selective response bias by low back pain status in the survey. CONCLUSION: Low-intensity/low-disability low back pain is a common problem in the general population. Approximately 11% of the adult population studied had been disabled by low back pain in the previous 6 months.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The Saskatchewan Health and Back Pain Survey. The prevalence of neck pain and related disability in Saskatchewan adults.

STUDY DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional mailed survey. OBJECTIVE: To determine the lifetime, period, and point prevalence of neck pain and its related disability among Saskatchewan adults and investigate the presence and strength of nonresponse bias. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In Europe, the lifetime and point prevalence of neck pain is almost as high as the prevalence of low back pain. Similarly, chronic neck pain is highly prevalent and a common source of disability in the working-age population. However, no studies specifically have documented the prevalence of neck pain and its related disability in North America. METHODS: The Saskatchewan Health and Back Pain Survey was mailed to 2184 randomly selected Saskatchewan adults aged 20-69 years. Fifty-five percent of the study population participated. The presence of nonresponse bias was investigated through logistic regression and wave analysis. The Chronic Pain Questionnaire was used to classify the severity of chronic neck pain. RESULTS: The age-standardized lifetime prevalence of neck pain is 66.7% (95% confidence interval, 63.8-69.5), and the point prevalence is 22.2% (95% confidence interval, 19.7-24.7). The age-standardized 6-month prevalence of low-intensity and low-disability neck pain is 39.7% (95% confidence interval, 36.7-42.7), whereas it is 10.1% (95% confidence interval, 8.2-11.9) for high-intensity and low-disability neck pain and 4.6% (95% confidence interval, 3.3-5.8) for significantly disabling neck pain. The prevalence of low-intensity and low-disability neck pain decreases with age. More women experience high-disability neck pain than men. Wave analysis suggests that the point prevalence and 6-month prevalence of high-intensity and low-disability neck pain are overestimated in this survey. CONCLUSION: This cross-sectional study shows that neck pain is highly prevalent in Saskatchewan and that it significantly disables 4.6% (95% confidence interval, 3.3-5.8) of the adult population.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

A study of the diagnostic accuracy and reliability of the Scoliometer and Adam's forward bend test.

STUDY DESIGN: Study of the diagnostic accuracy and interexaminer reliability of scoliosis diagnostic tests. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of the Scoliometer (National Scoliosis Foundation, Watertown, MA) and Adam's forward bend test in diagnosing scoliosis, and to determine the interexaminer reliability of the Scoliometer and Adam's forward bend test. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Exposure to diagnostic radiation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis may result in a small but significant increase in cancer rates. The full-spine radiographic examination remains the standard procedure for the assessment of scoliosis. There is a need for a valid and reliable noinvasive test to assess scoliosis. METHODS: Two examiners independently assessed 105 patients presenting to a scoliosis clinic for trunk asymmetry with Adam's forward bend test and axial trunk rotation with the Scoliometer. The Cobb method served as the gold standard. RESULTS: The interexaminer agreement for the Scoliometer is excellent in the thoracic spine and substantial in the lumbar spine. The interexaminer measurement error shows poor precision for thoracic and lumbar Scoliometer measurements. The interexaminer agreement for Adam's forward bend test is substantial in the thoracic spine and poor in the lumbar spine. Adam's forward bend test is more sensitive than the Scoliometer in detecting thoracic curves measuring 20 degrees or more by the Cobb method. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggests that the use of the Scoliometer marginally improves the ability of diagnosing a scoliosis in the thoracic spine. CONCLUSIONS: The Scoliometer and Adam's forward bend tests have adequate interexaminer reliability for the assessment of thoracic curves. The Scoliometer has better interexaminer agreement in the lumbar spine. However, the Scoliometer has a high level of interexaminer measurement error that limits its use as an outcome instrument. Because Adam's forward bend test is more sensitive than the Scoliometer, the authors believe that it remains the best noninvasive clinical test to evaluate scoliosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Apophysial joint degeneration, disc degeneration, and sagittal curve of the cervical spine. Can they be measured reliably on radiographs?

STUDY DESIGN: Interexaminer reliability study. OBJECTIVES: To determine the reliability of grading apophysial joint and disc degenerative changes and the reliability of measuring sagittal curves on lateral cervical spine radiographs. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Several authors have proposed that the presented of degenerative changes and the absence of lordosis in the cervical spine are indicators of poor recovery from neck injuries caused by motor vehicle collisions. The validity of those conclusions is questionable because the reliability of the methods used in their studies to measure the presence of degenerative changes and the absence of lordosis has not been determined. METHODS: Kellgren's classification system for apophysial joint and disc degeneration, as well as the pattern and magnitude of the sagittal curve on 30 lateral cervical spine radiographs were assessed independently by three examiners. RESULTS: Moderate reliability was demonstrated for classifying apophysial joint degeneration with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.45 (95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.71). Classifying degenerative disc disease had substantial reliability, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.71 (95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.88). Measuring the magnitude of the sagittal curve from C2 to C7 had excellent interexaminer agreement, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.96 (95% confidence interval, 0.88-0.98) and an interexaminer error of 8.3 degrees. CONCLUSIONS: The classification system for degenerative disc disease proposed by Kellgren et al and the method of measurement of sagittal curves from C2 to C7 demonstrated an acceptable level of reliability and can be used in outcomes research.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

A comparison of three regional anaesthesia techniques for outpatient knee arthroscopy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare intraoperative conditions and postoperative pain control of three peripheral regional anaesthesia techniques for outpatient knee arthroscopic procedures. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomized to one of three groups. Group 1A received portal injections (10 ml lidocaine 1%), intraarticular lidocaine (20 ml CO2 lidocaine 2% with 1/200,000 adrenaline) and a placebo femoral nerve block (20 ml saline). Group FNB received a femoral 3-in-1 nerve block (20 ml chloroprocaine 2% with 1/200,000 adrenaline), placebo portal injections (10 ml saline) and placebo intraarticular saline (20 ml saline with 1/200,000 adrenaline). Group FNB + IA received a femoral 3-in-1 nerve block, intraarticular lidocaine and placebo portal injections. The following were assessed: intraoperative pain (10 cm VAS: 0 = no pain, 10 = extreme pain), surgical operating conditions (1 = excellent, 4 = unacceptable), intraoperative use of sedation and analgesia, time to discharge, patient satisfaction score (1 = very satisfied, 5 very unsatisfied) and postoperative analgesia. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and Chi-square tests as appropriate, P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There were no differences among the groups regarding any of the variables tested. Considerable post-operative pain (VAS > or = 5) was experienced by 20/54 (37%) patients. CONCLUSION: Any of the three anaesthetic techniques tested provide reliable intraoperative patient and surgical conditions for outpatient knee arthroscopy. Patient discomfort postoperatively was considerable in all groups and requires further investigation.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

L5 vertebral compression fracture: a series of five cases.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to discuss five cases of L5 vertebral compression fracture (VCF), illustrating the epidemiology, clinical presentation and radiographic appearance of the fracture at this uncommon site. Additionally, an empirical approach to conservative management of L5 VCFs is also discussed. DESIGN: A series of five cases. SETTING: Private chiropractic clinic. CONCLUSIONS: Compression fractures at the L5 level are rare; however, this problem should be considered in postmenopausal women who suffer from low back pain and in young men with a history of trauma. Conservative treatment options, including both passive therapy and exercise, can be beneficial in the management of this condition.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Spinal cord astrocytoma presenting as torticollis and scoliosis.

OBJECTIVE: To illustrate the importance of a careful differential diagnosis in children presenting with torticollis. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 14-yr-old boy presented with a 6-month history of neck pain, torticollis and increasing neurological deficit. Past physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment had not helped. A myelogram and MRI scan revealed a large intramedullary lesion. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: He was treated by laminectomy with partial excision of the lesion, followed by radiotherapy. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of astrocytoma. The patient developed postlaminectomy instability and required spinal fusion. CONCLUSION: The differential diagnosis of torticollis in children is extensive and should always include spinal tumor.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Side posture manipulation for lumbar intervertebral disk herniation.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this article is to review the status of side posture manipulation for lumbar intervertebral disk herniation. DATA SOURCES, STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: The data presented in this article are from our Back Pain Clinic at the Royal University Hospital and the articles cited are those which we feel are important in reviewing this subject. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of lumbar intervertebral disk herniation by side posture manipulation is both safe and effective. Further research is required to understand more fully the effects of this treatment on the intervertebral disk.

Chiropractic↗
PubMed1992

Link protein shows species variation in its susceptibility to proteolysis.

Human cartilage link protein exists as three native components, while equine, bovine, and porcine cartilage link protein exist as two and Swarm rat chondrosarcoma link protein exists as only one component. These nonhuman link protein components represent intact protein structures, and there is little evidence for proteolytically modified forms in nonhuman tissues. In human cartilage, the proteolytic production of modified link proteins increases with age, whereas high amounts of such products were not seen in the nonhuman tissues. However, the small amounts of link protein fragments that were observed in the nonhuman cartilages were of a similar size to their human counterparts. On digestion of human proteoglycan aggregate with stromelysin, rapid modification of the link protein components occurred, whereas the aggregates from nonhuman cartilages showed incomplete cleavage of their link protein components. The relative resistance of nonhuman link protein to stromelysin may in part be due to a unique amino acid substitution present near the enzymic cleave site.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Lumbar apophyseal ring fractures in adolescents.

Fracture of the vertebral ring apophysis in the lumbar spine is an uncommon condition that has been reported in adolescent patients presenting with low back pain. The pathophysiology is considered to be a fracture of the posterior ring apophysis in association with a herniated disc. The nature and the extension of the lesion is best established by computed tomography scan with sagittal reconstruction. We present three cases to illustrate the classic clinical and radiologic findings. Management of the condition is also discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

The effect of manipulation on pain and range of motion in the cervical spine: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this pilot study was to determine the number of patients required for a randomized controlled trial of spinal manipulation for neck pain and to determine if there is a relationship between pain and range of motion (ROM) in the cervical spine. DESIGN: Fifty consecutive outpatients were studied in a pretest-posttest design without long-term follow-up. SETTING: The patients were taken from a primary cae outpatient teaching clinic specializing in back pain. PATIENTS: All patients had unilateral neck pain without neurological deficit. The patients were selected as a consecutive sample. INTERVENTION: All the patients received a single cervical manipulation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prior to and immediately after the treatment, cervical ROM was recorded on a goniometer, and pain intensity was rated on the 101-point numerical rating scale. RESULTS: The results show an increase in all planes of post-treatment ROM and a decrease in post-treatment pain scores. Partial correlations between post-treatment ROM and 101-point numerical rating scale scores reveal a significant relationship between a decrease in pain and an increase in cervical rotation (p < .005). CONCLUSIONS: Since the results of this pilot study are not controlled, they cannot be seen as proof supporting the clinical efficacy of manipulation for neck pain. However, the correlation between an increase in cervical rotation and a decrease in pain is clinically instructive. In addition, the outcome measures used in this study could prove to be useful in the design of future randomized controlled trials of cervical manipulation.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The pathoanatomy and clinical significance of the sacroiliac joints.

The sacroiliac joint has a unique developmental anatomy which is responsible for an unusual and underdeveloped iliac cartilage surface. This surface tends to undergo premature degenerative change, which might be a factor in the pathogenesis of mechanical low back pain.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Lumbar facet joint asymmetry. Intervertebral disc herniation.

A study of 136 patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation was undertaken to test the hypothesis that asymmetry of the facet joints is associated with the level, type, and side of herniation. Fifty cases of central herniation and 86 cases of lateral herniation, all at the L4-5 or L5-S1 levels, were studied by computed tomographic scans. Adjacent (nonherniated) levels were used as controls. The facet joint angles were measured at the L4-5 and L5-S1 levels of the control, central, and lateral herniated levels. The results showed a similar degree of facet joint asymmetry at all levels. In cases of lateral herniation, there was a significant difference in the facet angle between the herniated and nonherniated side at the L5-S1 level, but not the L4-5 level. The mean difference, however, was less than 3 degrees and not considered to be clinically relevant. There was no difference in the distribution of the more coronally or sagittally facing facet joints with respect to the side of lateral herniation. These results do not support the hypothesis that facet asymmetry is associated with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

Adult↗