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PubMed2003

Arthroscopic treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus with correlation of outcome scoring systems.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to perform a retrospective review of arthroscopically treated osteochondral lesions of the talus (OCLTs) to determine their outcome and to analyze the correlation of 3 subjective outcome scoring systems for the ankle. METHODS: Between 1985 and 1999, 37 arthroscopic debridement or subchondral drilling procedures were performed on 33 ankles to treat OCLTs. The charts of these patients were reviewed for general demographic, preoperative, surgical, and postoperative information. Patients were sent a questionnaire that included 3 subjective outcome scoring systems: the Martin Score questionnaire; the Berndt and Harty scale; and the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) question. Twenty-eight people responded to the questionnaire. Twenty-four patients reported a history of trauma. There were 17 lesions on the medial aspect of the talus, 10 laterally, and 1 centrally. The lesions were classified according to their arthroscopic appearance. There were 7 stage I, 2 stage II, 10 stage III, and 9 stage IV lesions. After all data were analyzed, the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (r) and correlation of determination (r2) were performed among the 3 outcome scales. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 66 months (range, 6-169 months). Outcome results varied according to the scoring system. Using the Berndt and Harty scale, 13 (46%) patients had good, 13 (46%) fair, and 2 (8%) poor results. According to the Martin Score, 1 patient (4%) had excellent, 10 (35%) good, 9 (32%) fair, and 8 (29%) had poor results. According to the SANE score, 5 patients (18%) had excellent, 8 (29%) good, 9 (32%) fair, and 6 (21%) had poor results. Seventeen patients reported some form of pain at follow-up examination. Analysis of variables, including age at operation, stage of the lesion, length of follow-up, and previous surgery revealed no statistical significance. All 3 scales showed positive correlations. Based on these outcome data, the Berndt and Harty scale showed good correlation with both the SANE and the Martin outcome systems (r =.81 and r =.69, respectively). The Martin Score showed moderate correlation with the SANE outcome system (r =.57). CONCLUSIONS: The outcome results for our patient population were not as successful as has been previously reported. Our analysis showed positive correlation among the 3 subjective outcome systems. However, it remains difficult to compare these data with previous results secondary to the variety of outcome measures employed by previous reports in the literature.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Ten-year outcome of nonsurgical treatment for the internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint with closed lock.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess long-term 10-year results in comparison with the short-term outcomes of nonsurgical treatment for the internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with closed lock. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The survey was conducted on 56 patients, 50 of whom responded. The age at first examination ranged from 13 to 75 years (mean, 33.2 years), and the pretreatment jaw opening was 30.3 mm on average. The short-term clinical outcome of nonsurgical treatment for 56 patients consisted of 42 successful and 14 unsuccessful cases. The mean follow-up period was 9 years and 10 months. All patients rated their pain level on a visual analog scale (VAS) and filled out a pain, jaw-dysfunction, and activities-of-daily-limiting (ADL) questionnaire before and at time of the survey. Jaw opening was also self-assessed. Pretreatment and post-treatment scores were compared and statistically tested, and the treatment outcome was judged according to our success criteria. The patients were also asked for a global rating of the subjective outcome at the survey. Last, long-term outcomes were compared with short-term clinical outcomes. RESULTS: VAS was significantly reduced from 4.91 to 0.17 (P <.01). Pain, dysfunction, and ADL scores also decreased from 5.89 to 1.07, from 5.34 to 2.0, and from 5.55 to 1.36, respectively (P <.01). Jaw opening also improved. Consequently, 40 patients were assessed as excellent, 10 patients as good, and none as poor. The overall success rate was 89.3% when the 6 nonrespondents were included. The patients' self-rated outcome showed that 31 patients rated good, 10 patients rated neither, and 9 patients did not rate, but none replied not good. Finally, the short-term clinical outcomes did not relate to the long-term outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term (10-year) outcomes of nonsurgical treatment for TMJ internal derangement with closed lock were considered to be acceptable and stable when compared with those of other treatment modalities. Short-term results had little effect on the long-term outcomes.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2004

Focal cortical dysplasias: surgical outcome in 67 patients in relation to histological subtypes and dual pathology.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether the histological subtype of focal cortical dysplasia and dual pathology affect surgical outcome in patients with medically intractable epilepsy due to focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). We retrospectively analysed the outcome of 67 patients from 2 to 66 years of age at follow-up periods of 6 to 48 months after epilepsy surgery. Histological subtypes were classified according to Palmini and included a few cases with mild histological abnormalities corresponding to the definition of mild malformations of cortical development. The seizure outcome was classified according to Engel and evaluated at the last follow-up visit as well as at follow-up periods of 12 and 24 months after surgery. The outcome in patients with FCD and additional hippocampal pathology (dual pathology) was analysed separately. Distribution of histological subtypes differed in temporal and extratemporal localization, with a significantly higher extratemporal prevalence of FCD type 2. There was a tendency towards better postsurgical outcome related to the last follow-up visit in patients with more subtle abnormalities classified as mild malformations of cortical development (mMCD) (63% Engel Ia), FCD type 1a (67% Engel Ia) and FCD type 1b (55% Engel Ia) compared with patients with FCD type 2a (43% Engel Ia) and FCD type 2b (Taylor type) (50% Engel Ia). Considering the outcome at follow-up periods over 12 and 24 months, complete seizure-freedom was achieved significantly more often in patients with FCD type 1 and mMCD than with FCD type 2, and seizure reduction by less than 75% (Engel IV) occurred in more patients with FCD type 2a compared with the other subgroups. This tendency was seen in the whole patient group and in the extratemporal subgroup. Patients with dual pathology almost always had temporal lobe epilepsy; the outcome in this patient group was generally favourable (66% complete seizure-freedom at the last follow-up visit). The outcome remained almost constant with longer periods of follow-up. We conclude that patients with FCD type 1 and mMCD had a better outcome compared with those with more severe forms of cortical dysplasia. A higher incidence of FCD type 1 in temporal localization did not allow the effects of histological subtype and localization to be separated. A subanalysis of extratemporal FCDs, however, revealed a similar tendency for a better outcome with FCD type 1, suggesting that the histological subtype itself seems to be at least a relevant cofactor influencing postsurgical outcome.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Long-term outcomes in epilepsy surgery: antiepileptic drugs, mortality, cognitive and psychosocial aspects.

Assessment of long-term outcomes is essential in brain surgery for epilepsy. Little information exists on long-term non-seizure outcomes after epilepsy surgery. We perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence on this topic. Our aim was to provide evidence-based estimates of antiepileptic drug, psychosocial, neuropsychological and mortality long-term outcomes following epilepsy surgery, and to identify sources of variation in published results. We searched Medline, Index Medicus, the Cochrane database, bibliographies of reviews, original articles, and book chapters, to identify articles published from 1991 to 2005, containing > or =20 patients of any age, undergoing resective or non-resective epilepsy surgery, and followed for a mean/median of > or =5 years. Two reviewers independently assessed study eligibility and extracted data, resolving disagreements through discussion. Standard meta-analytical techniques were used to pool data. Of the 159 potentially eligible articles reviewed in full-text, 35 (22%) fulfilled eligibility criteria; 6 (17%) were controlled studies; 15 (36%) explored antiepileptic drug outcome; 6 (17%) explored mortality; 11 (31%) reported psychosocial outcomes; and 7 (20%) explored neuropsychological outcomes. On an average, 14% [95% confidence interval (CI(95)) = 11-17] of the patients with temporal lobe surgery achieved long-term antiepileptic drug (AED) discontinuation, 50% (CI(95) = 45-55) achieved monotherapy, and 33% remained on polytherapy (CI(95 =) 29-38). In analyses including all types of surgery, on average, 20% (CI(95) = 18-23) achieved long-term AED discontinuation, while 41% (CI(95) = 37-45) were on monotherapy and 31% (CI(95) = 27-35) remained on polytherapy. Children achieved better AED outcomes than adults. Seizure freedom after surgery was associated with lower mortality, but inconsistent mortality outcomes precluded making strong inferences. Non-controlled studies consistently reported improved long-term psychosocial outcomes, but the effect was less clear in controlled studies. Intelligence was unchanged by surgery, but long-term memory outcomes were associated with seizure freedom and side of temporal lobe resection. Few long-term, controlled studies exist. Longer follow-up was associated with lower rates of AED discontinuation, reflecting lower seizure-free rates over time. Cognitive and psychosocial outcomes were similar to those of short-term studies, and the results were influenced by the presence of controls.

Anticonvulsants↗

PubMed2006

Adverse outcomes in Belgian acute hospitals: retrospective analysis of the national hospital discharge dataset.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence and variability of adverse outcome rates in Belgian acute hospitals is examined by using the national hospital discharge database. DESIGN: setting, and participants. Retrospective analysis based on administrative data of all Belgian acute hospitals, covering the full medical (n = 1 024 743) and surgical (n = 633 027) in-patients population for the year 2000. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: For 11 adverse outcomes and failure-to-rescue, the rates and variability among hospitals were studied. The all patient refined diagnostic-related groups (APR-DRG) method was used for risk adjustment. RESULTS: The prevalence of adverse outcomes was 7.12% in the medical and 6.32% in the surgical group. Rates ranged from 6.25 (deep venous thrombosis) to 32.3 (urinary tract infection) outcomes per 1000 discharges in the medical group and from 3.39 (deep venous thrombosis) to 17.6 (urinary tract infection) outcomes per 1000 discharges in the surgical group. The failure-to-rescue rate was 240 and 211 per 1000 discharges, respectively. Except for pressure ulcers and hospital-acquired sepsis, the prevalence of adverse outcomes was significantly higher (P = 0.001) in the medical group. All adverse outcome rates varied substantially among the hospitals surveyed. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies the occurrence of adverse outcomes in a national population. It adds information to the growing body of knowledge in predominantly Anglo-Saxon countries about adverse outcomes. Striking variation exists in the risk-adjusted adverse outcome rates across Belgian acute hospitals, revealing a large potential for quality gains that encourage further action.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Health-related quality of life, satisfaction, and economic outcome measures in studies of prostate cancer screening and treatment, 1990-2000.

Prostate cancer outcomes research incorporates a broad spectrum of endpoints, from clinical or intermediate endpoints, such as tumor shrinkage or patient compliance, to final endpoints, such as survival or disease-free survival. Three types of nontraditional endpoints that are of growing interest-health-related quality of life (QOL), satisfaction with care, and economic cost impact-hold the promise of improving our ability to understand the full burden of prostate cancer screening and treatment. In this article we review the last decade's published literature regarding the health-related QOL, satisfaction, and economic outcomes of prostate cancer screening and treatment to determine the "state of the science" of outcomes measurement. The focus is the enumeration of the types of outcome measurement used in the studies not the determination of the results of the studies. Studies were identified by searching Medline (1990-2000). Articles were included if they presented original data on any patient-centered outcome (including costs or survival alone) for men screened and treated for prostate cancer. Review papers were excluded unless they were quantitative syntheses of the results of other primary studies. Economic and decision analytic papers were included if they presented information on outcomes of real or hypothetical patient cohorts. Each retrieved article was reviewed by one of the authors. Included papers were assigned one primary, mutually exclusive study design. For the "primary data" studies, information was abstracted on care setting, dates of the study, sample size, racial distribution, age, tumor differentiation, tumor stage, survival, statistical power, and types of outcomes measures (QOL-generic, QOL-cancer specific, QOL-prostate cancer specific, satisfaction, costs, utilities, and other). For the "economic and decision analytic" papers, information was abstracted on stage of disease, age range, outcomes, costs, and whether utilities were measured. Of the 198 included papers, there were 161 primary data papers categorized as follows: randomized trial (n = 28), nonrandomized trial (n = 13), prospective or retrospective cohort study (n = 55), case-control study (n = 0), cross-sectional study (n = 63), and meta-analysis (n = 2). The remaining 37 papers were economic and decision analytic papers. Among the 149 primary data papers that contained patient outcome data, there were 42 standard instruments used, accounting for 44% (179 of 410) of the measures overall. Almost three-quarters (71%) of papers included one, two, or three outcomes measures of all types (standard and nonstandard); three papers included seven outcomes measures, and one paper included nine. Over the 11-year time period, there was a nonstatistically significant trend toward more frequent use of standardized QOL instruments and a statistically significant trend toward increased reporting of race (P = .003). Standardization of measurement of health-related QOL, satisfaction with care, and economic cost effect among men screened and treated for prostate cancer is needed. A core set of similar questions, both generic and disease-specific, should ideally be asked in every study, although investigators should be encouraged to include additional question sets as appropriate to individual studies to get a more complete picture of how patients screened and treated for this condition are doing over time.

Health Care Costs↗

PubMed1996

Systematic literature review: outcome measures for child and adolescent mental health services.

BACKGROUND: Outcome measurement is an important component of health care service evaluation. The aim of this paper is to review child and adolescent mental health outcome measures and identify outcome measurement tools for use in routine clinical practice. METHOD: A systematic literature review was undertaken, using Medline and Psych Info and supplemented by correspondence with relevant institutions and authorities in the field. The review identifies potential specific outcome measurement tools. These tools are evaluated using the scientific criteria of validity and reliability, responsiveness to change, and appropriateness of each tool's format for use in routine clinical practice. RESULTS: Three broad categories of outcome are identified: population outcomes, specific outcome and performance indicators. Nineteen specific outcome measurement tools are short-listed and compared in detail. No single tool is suitable for use as a comprehensive outcome measurement tool in routine clinical practice. CONCLUSION: A combination of some of the tools short-listed will cover all the necessary outcome items. However, the increase in assessment time will reduce clinical usefulness. Further research is needed to modify or created appropriate outcome measurement tools for use in routine clinical practice.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Outcome in critical care patients: a multivariate study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify patient variables that were significantly associated with outcome in the ICU. DESIGN: Retrospective chart study of ICU patients. SETTING: Letterman Army Medical Center, Presidio of San Francisco. PATIENTS: A total of 110 consecutive patients who remained in the ICU for greater than 72 hrs. METHODS: Univariate analysis of 26 input variables, representing physiologic status and chronic health assessment at the time of ICU admission of the patients, and adverse events that occurred during their ICU stay. The dependent variable assessed was the outcome of patients after ICU intervention. A bad outcome included patient mortality or discharge from the ICU in worse condition or in a chronic vegetative condition. Five selected input variables were used in a multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify independent predictors of a successful outcome. RESULTS: Univariate statistical techniques comparing the values of 26 input variables of patients who improved during their ICU stay (46 patients) with those values of patients who did not improve (52 deaths and 12 unimproved patients) indicated that the following nine variables were significantly different in these two groups: a) age (p = .04), b) acute physiologic score (p = .047), c) Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score (p = .040), d) the number of repeat ICU admissions during a given hospitalization (p = .019), e) development of respiratory complications while in the ICU (p = .033), f) sepsis developing while in the ICU (p = .0001), g) renal failure developing while in the ICU (p less than .0001), h) disseminated intravascular coagulation while in the ICU (p = .0028), and i) the occurrence of any iatrogenic complication while in the ICU (p less than .0001). Five of these nine variables were used in a stepwise logistic regression analysis to develop a model to predict ICU outcome. This model showed the following three variables to be significantly associated with unfavorable ICU outcome: a) occurrence of any iatrogenic event while in the ICU (p less than .001), b) development of renal failure in the ICU (p = .001), and c) occurrence of sepsis while in the ICU (p = .042). A common iatrogenic complication associated with unfavorable ICU outcome was related to drug therapy (frequently aminoglycoside toxicity). Twenty-one iatrogenic drug complications occurred in 64 patients who did not improve in the ICU, whereas only three iatrogenic drug complications occurred in 46 patients who improved (p less than .001). CONCLUSIONS: For patients who remain in the ICU for greater than 72 hrs, events occurring after ICU admission are negatively associated with ICU outcome, more so than ICU admission status as reflected by such indices as APACHE II scores. Iatrogenic complications, often due to inappropriate drug therapy, have a significant association with adverse outcome by multivariate analysis. We suggest that iatrogenic complications influence ICU outcome, and that they are potentially preventable. By lessening their frequency, ICU outcome may be improved.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1999

Do foot injuries significantly affect the functional outcome of multiply injured patients?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the functional outcome of multiply injured trauma patients with foot injuries and to determine which outcome measures are most appropriate for this assessment. DESIGN: Prospective, matched pair analysis. SETTING: University-affiliated Level I trauma center with a prospectively entered trauma database. PATIENTS: Twenty-eight multiply injured patients with foot injuries were randomly identified in our prospective trauma database (Group 1). The patients in Group 1 were randomly matched in a blinded fashion to twenty-eight multiply injured patients without foot injuries who were selected from the entire group of patients in our trauma database (Group 2). The patients were matched by age, sex, length of follow-up, and Injury Severity Score. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Three outcome tools were used: the Short Form 36 (SF-36), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the modified Boston Children's Hospital Grading System. RESULTS: The outcome of multiply injured patients with foot injuries was significantly worse than that of patients without foot injuries when using any of the three outcome measures (SF-36, p = 0.008; WOMAC, p = 0.00007; modified Boston Children's score, p = 0.001). The outcome of patients with foot injuries was worse than that of those without foot injuries in five of the eight components of the SF-36 score (physical functioning, p = 0.0004; role physical, p = 0.01; bodily pain, p = 0.01; social functioning, p = 0.01; role emotional, p = 0.006). The outcome of patients with foot injuries was worse than that of patients without foot injuries in all three components of the WOMAC (pain score, p = 0.0004; stiffness score, p = 0.007; physical function score, p = 0.00006). For the patients with foot injuries, there was strong correlation across all three scales (SF-36 vs. WOMAC, r = 0.84; SF-36 vs. modified Boston Children's Hospital, r = 0.88; WOMAC vs. modified Boston Children's Hospital, r = 0.78). CONCLUSIONS: The SF-36, WOMAC, and modified Boston Children's Hospital Grading System are all useful in assessing the outcome of multiply injured patients with foot injuries. The outcome of these patients is poor when using any of these measures. Foot injuries cause significant disability to multiply injured patients. More attention should be given to these injuries, and more aggressive management should be considered to improve the outcome of this group of multiply injured patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Comparison between clinical and radiologic outcome measures after reconstruction of acetabular fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical and radiologic outcome measures in patients after reconstruction of acetabular fractures and to investigate whether an objective radiologic outcome could be used as a proxy for a clinical outcome. DESIGN: Follow-up survey with retrospective analysis of consecutive case records. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION: Over a ten-year period, 201 consecutive patients had open reduction and internal fixation of acetabular fractures performed by a single surgeon. The outcome measures on 166 fractures were available for analysis when the twenty-six patients who were lost to follow-up and the fourteen patients who had salvage total hip replacement were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The assessment of patients was performed by one of two independent assessors, who used the Merle d'Aubigné (1954) clinical outcome score and a radiologic score of degenerative hip disease (Matta, 1994). RESULTS: Although the overall correlation between the clinical and radiologic outcome grades was good (r = 0.63, p < 0.001), their agreement (i.e., the prediction of a specific clinical outcome by a corresponding radiologic one) was poor (Kappa = 0.24). The authors found that the clinical scoring system was difficult to apply specifically to acetabular trauma in 29 percent of fractures because of complications related to associated injuries. When the individual Merle d'Aubigné scores for pain, range of motion, and walking were correlated with the radiologic score, it was found that the walking score had a significant association with the radiologic score and the pain and range of movement scores. CONCLUSIONS: The Merle d'Aubigné score has shortcomings as an outcome measure for acetabular fractures. Our aim to use a radiologic outcome as a proxy for this clinical grading system was not realized, but we propose that the patient's walking ability could be used as an objective local outcome measurement.

Acetabulum↗

PubMed2000

Outcome from injury: general health, work status, and satisfaction 12 months after trauma.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated outcomes 12 months after trauma in terms of general health, satisfaction, and work status. METHODS: Two hundred forty-seven patients without severe neurotrauma were evaluated by interview during admission and by mailed self-report 6 and 12 months after trauma. Data were obtained from the Trauma Registry, interviews, and survey instruments. Baseline assessment was obtained with the Short Form 36 (SF36) and the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) work scale. Outcome measures were the SF36, SIP work scale, Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) depression scale, the Civilian Mississippi Scale for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and a satisfaction questionnaire. Three regressions were determined for outcome. The dependent variables were general health and work status (linear) and satisfaction (logistic). Each regression controlled for baseline status and mental health, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and 12-month SF36 physical function before evaluating the effect of outcome mental health. RESULTS: Follow-up data were available for 75% of the patients at 6 months and 51% at 12 months. The mean age of patients was 37.2 +/- 0.9 years (+/-SEM), and 73% were male. Their average ISS was 13.9 +/- 0.6. Seventy percent of injuries were blunt force, 13.5 % were penetrating, and 16.5 % were burn injuries (mean total body surface area, 13.3 +/- 1.5%). Sixty-four percent of the patients had returned to work at 12 months. Follow-up SF36 mental health was associated with the dependent outcome in each regression. After controlling for baseline status and mental health, ISS, and outcome SF36 physical function, outcome mental health was associated with outcome SF36 general health (p < 0.001), SIP work status (p = 0.017), and satisfaction with recovery (p = 0.005). Outcome SF36 mental health was related to baseline mental health, 12-month PTSD and BSI depression scores, and increased drug and alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve months after trauma, patients' work status, general health, and overall satisfaction with recovery are dependent on outcome mental health. This dependency persists despite measured baseline status, ISS, or physical recovery. The mental disease after trauma is attributable to poor mental health, the development of symptoms of PTSD and depression, and increased substance abuse. Trauma centers that fail to recognize, assess, and treat these injury-related mental health outcomes are not fully assisting their patients to return to optimal function.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1997

Symptom management outcomes. Do they reflect variations in care delivery systems?

OBJECTIVES: Symptom management is increasingly recognized as a critical element of patient care, particularly in managing chronic illness. However, research on outcomes related to symptom management is in its infancy, except for the symptom of pain. This symptom was therefore chosen as a prototype to review the state of the science regarding relations between organizational variables and symptom management outcomes and to illustrate the issues regardless of the symptom managed. This article discusses pain outcome measures appropriate for acute and cancer pain, proposes attributes of the care delivery system that may affect outcome measures, and identifies challenges associated with this type of research. METHODS: Review of quality assurance studies raises issues concerning the adequacy of currently used outcomes for pain and satisfaction with pain management. Although considerable effort has been expended in developing pain measurement in adults and children, critical issues for examining pain management outcomes include deciding what perspectives should be used as the most valid indicator of the pain outcome and when the measures should be obtained. RESULTS: Critical concerns are raised about the measure of satisfaction with pain management and its appropriateness as the end-result outcome. A key issue is whether respondents actually disentangle satisfaction with pain management from satisfaction with other aspects of care, including caring dispositions of health-care providers. Finally, the question is raised: Are pain outcomes affected by organizational context? CONCLUSIONS: Although the answer to this question is unknown, a few research studies suggest that organizational context is likely to influence pain outcomes. It is clear, however, from ongoing work that until several conceptual, methodological, and analytic challenges are resolved, research is unlikely to capture the influence of variations in care delivery systems on symptom management outcomes.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Patient adherence and medical treatment outcomes: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Adherence is a factor in the outcome of medical treatment, but the strength and moderators of the adherence-outcome association have not been systematically assessed. OBJECTIVES: A quantitative review using meta-analysis of three decades of empirical research correlating adherence with objective measures of treatment outcomes. METHOD: Sixty-three studies assessing patient adherence and outcomes of medical treatment were found involving medical regimens recommended by a nonpsychiatrist physician, and measuring patient adherence and health outcomes. Studies were analyzed according to disease (acute/chronic, severity), population (adult/child), type of regimen (preventive/treatment, use of medication), and type and sensitivity of adherence and outcomes measurements. RESULTS: Overall, the outcome difference between high and low adherence is 26%. According to a stringent random effects model, adherence is most strongly related to outcomes in studies of nonmedication regimens, where measures of adherence are continuous, and where the disease is chronic (particularly hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, intestinal disease, and sleep apnea). A less stringent fixed effects model shows a trend for higher adherence-outcome correlations in studies of less serious conditions, of pediatric patients, and in those studies using self-reports of adherence, multiple measures of adherence, and less specific measures of outcomes. Intercorrelations among moderator variables in multiple regression show that the best predictor of the adherence-outcome relationship is methodological-the sensitivity/quality of the adherence assessment.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗

PubMed1997

Quantitative outcome and radiographic comparisons between laminectomy and laminotomy in the treatment of acquired lumbar stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to conduct a comparative quantitative analysis of outcomes, radiographic findings, and magnetic resonance imaging results after laminectomy or laminotomy was performed for patients with lumbar stenosis. Such as analysis had not previously been conducted. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with no exclusion criteria who were treated surgically for acquired stenosis at the Division of Neurological Surgery at The Ohio State University from 1990 to 1993 were studied retrospectively. At follow-up examinations, each patient completed a detailed questionnaire that included visual analog scales, functional assessments, and the medical outcome study short form health survey, SF-36. Each patient underwent plain static and dynamic radiography that detailed vertebral body sagittal listhesis and rotation and magnetic resonance imaging that evaluated dural sac compression. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 36.7 months. Good outcome was defined by the presence of three criteria: no greater than mild leg pain (Grades 0-4), the ability to walk more than one block without developing lower extremity pain, and the ability to walk without assistance devices. Fifty-eight percent of the patients who had undergone laminectomies and 50% of the patients who had undergone laminotomies had good outcomes. All were judged to have had adequate decompression. The average maximum postoperative listhesis was 17.3 +/- 9.9% in the laminectomy group and 17.6 +/- 12.5% in the laminotomy group. In contrast to some previous studies, pre- or postoperative listhesis was not statistically related to outcome in either group. Patients in each poor outcome category seemed to have worse comorbid medical conditions than did patients in the good outcome category. The SF-36 measurements of poor functioning because of health factors and bodily pain correlated somewhat with poor outcomes in the patients who had undergone laminectomies. In patients who had undergone laminotomies, the only statistically significant finding among the outcome groups was the effect of poor emotional health on activity for the patients with poor outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that laminotomy can adequately decompress lumbar canal stenosis, that laminectomy and laminotomy have the same degree of postoperative listhesis, and that the quantitative outcome of any treatment for lumbar stenosis is dependent not only on surgical factors but also on comorbid physical and psychological factors.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

A proposed comprehensive grading system to predict outcome for surgical management of intracranial aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: By conducting a review of clinical outcomes for patients with aneurysms treated using current microneurosurgical techniques and intensive care unit management, we determined that grading systems based only on the clinical condition of the patient failed to produce a significant stratification of outcome between individual grades of patients. We hypothesized that outcome prediction for patients surgically treated for intracranial aneurysms could be improved by including factors other than clinical condition that were also strongly associated with outcome. METHODS: To identify potential factors for inclusion in a risk prediction tool, we conducted a multivariate logistic regression analysis of patient- and lesion-specific factors suspected to be associated with outcome in a series of 434 aneurysm operations. Factors that were strongly associated with outcome were used to develop a comprehensive grading system. In the system, 1 point is assigned for Hunt and Hess Grade IV or V, Fisher Scale score of 3 or 4, aneurysm size greater than 10 mm, patient age older than 50 years, and if the lesion is a giant (> or =25 mm) posterior circulation lesion. By adding the total points, a 5-point grading system (Grades 0-5) is obtained. RESULTS: Age of patient, size of aneurysm, severity of subarachnoid hemorrhage (Fisher Scale evaluation of density of blood present as revealed by computed tomography), and clinical condition (Hunt and Hess grade) were each independently and strongly (relative risk, >4) associated with long-term outcome. In addition, there was a trend for increased risk with larger (>25 mm) posterior circulation lesions. When applied to the study population, individual grades on the new grading scale correlated well with actual outcome. In a prospective assessment of the system as applied to an additional 72 operations with at least 1 year of follow-up, the correlation of individual grades and outcome was strong and validated the retrospective findings. CONCLUSION: This new grading system is easy to apply, separates patients into groups with markedly different outcomes, and is comprehensive, allowing for more accurate prediction of surgical outcome for both unruptured and ruptured cerebral aneurysms.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Outcomes research: a review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to review the history of the medical outcomes movement as well as the methodologies used in outcomes research. CONCEPT: Outcomes research refers to a genre of clinical investigation that emphasizes the measurement of patient health outcomes, including the patient's symptoms, functional status, quality of life, satisfaction with treatment, and health care costs. RATIONALE: Outcomes research evolved from studies that demonstrated the presence of wide geographic variations in the practice of medicine and surgery. Such differences in utilization were unaccompanied by any discernible difference in patient outcomes. With escalating health care costs, there has been a growing interest in measuring the outcomes of medical intervention to determine the quality and appropriateness of medical care. DISCUSSION: Outcomes may be measured both directly and indirectly, over differing periods of time, and with varying degrees of objectivity, reliability, and validity. Current research has focused on quality of life issues, which include the extent to which a patient's usual or expected physical, emotional, and social well-being have been affected by a medical condition or treatment. The true value of health care can be determined only by a systematic examination of patient outcomes. To accomplish this goal, methods are required that are relatively unfamiliar to many clinical researchers. Future clinical research should include patient-oriented outcome measures that would otherwise focus solely on physiological or anatomic outcomes. Such information will be essential in determining which medical and surgical treatment strategies should be abandoned and which will gain acceptance in the future.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nonsurgical factors that influence the outcome of bariatric surgery: a review.

OBJECTIVE: Severe obesity (ie, at least 100% overweight or body mass index > or =40 kg/m2) is associated with significant morbidity and increased mortality. It is apparently becoming more common in this country. Conventional weight-loss treatments are usually ineffective for severe obesity and bariatric surgery is recommended as a treatment option. However, longitudinal data on the long-term outcome of bariatric surgery are sparse. Available data indicate that the outcome of bariatric surgery, although usually favorable in the short term, is variable and weight regain sometimes occurs at 2 years after surgery. The objective of this study is to present a review of the outcome of bariatric surgery in three areas: weight loss and improvement in health status, changes in eating behavior, and psychosocial adjustment. The study will also review how eating behavior, energy metabolism, and psychosocial functioning may affect the outcome of bariatric surgery. Suggestions for additional research in these areas are made. METHOD: Literature review. RESULTS: On average, most patients lose 60% of excess weight after gastric bypass and 40% after vertical banded gastroplasty. In about 30% of patients, weight regain occurs at 18 months to 2 years after surgery. Binge eating behavior, which is common among the morbidly obese, may recur after surgery and is associated with weight regain. Energy metabolism may affect the outcome of bariatric surgery, but it has not been systematically studied in this population. Presurgery psychosocial functioning does not seem to affect the outcome of surgery, and psychosocial outcome is generally encouraging over the short term, but there are reports of poor adjustment after weight loss, including alcohol abuse and suicide. CONCLUSIONS: Factors leading to poor outcome of bariatric surgery, such as binge eating and lowered energy metabolism, should be studied to improve patient selection and outcome. Long-term outcome data on psychosocial functioning are lacking. Longitudinal studies to examine the long-term outcome of bariatric surgery and the prognostic indicators are needed.

Feeding Behavior↗

PubMed1997

Surgical outcome of 438 patients treated surgically for lumbar spinal stenosis.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective, follow-up study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the overall outcome of surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis and to investigate the preoperative factors affecting outcome. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The success rates of surgical intervention for lumbar spinal stenosis vary, and few preoperative factors have been found to be significantly correlated to surgical outcome. METHODS: A total of 438 patients (183 women, 255 men) who underwent decompressive surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis were re-examined and evaluated for outcome 4.3 years after surgery. Outcome was based on subjective disability, which was assessed using the Oswestry low back pain questionnaire. The preoperative data (clinical documentation, length of laminectomy, and radiographs) were collected from patient records that had been stored in the hospital. Preoperative factors affecting outcome were reported. RESULTS: The mean value of the Oswestry disability score of these 438 patients was 34 +/- 18 (women, 36.3 +/- 17; men, 32.3 +/- 18; P < 0.05). Age did not influence general outcome. The proportion of good to excellent outcomes of all 438 patients was 62% (women, 57%; men, 65%). Diabetes, hip joint arthrosis, and preoperative fracture of the lumbar spine seemed to be associated with poor outcome. The ability to work before or after surgery and a history of no prior back surgery were predictive of good outcome. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that clear myelographic stenosis and no prior surgical intervention, no comorbidity of diabetes, no hip joint arthrosis, and no preoperative fracture of the lumbar spine are factors associated with a good outcome in surgical management of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Adult↗