Position paper on olfactory dysfunction: 2023

BACKGROUND: Since publication of the original Position Paper on Olfactory Dysfunction in 2017 (PPOD-17), the personal and societal burden of olfactory disorders has come sharply into focus through the lens of the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinicians, scientists and the public are now more aware of the importance of olfaction, and the impact of its dysfunction on quality of life, nutrition, social relationships and mental health. Accordingly, new basic, translational and clinical research has resulted in significant progress since the PPOD-17. In this updated document, we present and discuss currently available evidence for the diagnosis and management of olfactory dysfunction. Major updates to the current version include, amongst others: new recommendations on olfactory related terminology; new imaging recommendations; new sections on qualitative OD and COVID-19 OD; updated management section. Recommendations were agreed by all co-authors using a modified Delphi process. CONCLUSIONS: We have provided an overview of current evidence and expert-agreed recommendations for the definition, investigation, and management of OD. As for our original Position Paper, we hope that this updated document will encourage clinicians and researchers to adopt a common language, and in so doing, increase the methodological quality, consistency, and generalisability of work in this field.

[Consensus conferences in Israel--a collaborative model for national policy making].

The determination of an integrated national policy on controversial issues is a challenge for health systems worldwide. A common method to reach agreements for national policies in different countries throughout the world is group discussion that involves all stakeholders. A structured model of discussion on medical technologies started in the 1970s, mostly in North America, spreading to Europe and in the last decade also crossed borders to India, South America and Israel. Public discussion in the format of a consensus conference is a complex process that includes a thorough literature review for technology assessment, combining academic information using a technique of close consultation with experts, extensive panel discussion and dialogue with representatives of the public. At the end of the process a broad consensus is determined facilitating national-level policy implementation. The multiple factors involved, the issues addressed, the nature of the health system where the intended results will be applied, as well as political and social characteristics, produce variations among different countries. Therefore, this process requires flexibility in adjusting the classic model according to the awakening needs. The advantages of this method include encouraging the appropriate utilization of existing technologies, contemporary assessment by leading experts, aligning between all involved parties, public sharing and more. The initial model of the consensus conference was implemented in an orderly, systematic, structured process which allowed broad discussion, and many factors for thorough preparation. The disadvantages are its complexity, length and cost. In order to cope with the dynamics of the health system in israel, forcing policymakers to make decisions in real time, parts of the model were adjusted to address the issues arising in the system. Hence, a new process was developed--a derivative of the original Israeli model, with an emphasis on professional reviews, group discussion, and involvement of leading factors in the system. The participation of patients and the public in the process requires a thorough examination.

[Consensus conferences as a tool for implementing national policy--a review and international comparison].

The consensus conference (CC) is a professional methodology for comprehensive decision-making on controversial healthcare issues. The CC is based on health technology assessment, combining an in-depth review of the literature, consultation with experts and discussion within the framework of a broad panel of public and medical representatives. The process has many advantages but was also faces criticism; it reflects democratic deliberation, and reveals an opportunity to bridge the conceptual gap between policymakers and the public. The process enables citizens to be involved in decisions regarding unsolved medical dilemmas, as well as the means for resolving these questions, in an open transparent way. Those who criticize this mechanism refer to the restricted understanding of medical topics by lay-men, leading to only a negligible influence by nonmedical participants. However, the range of successful recommendations varies between countries. Many constraints raise the need for bending and matching the original model to different scenarios around the world; in the USA, an effort was made to preserve professional and academic principles, while in European countries flexibility led to evolving methodologies, and other frameworks developed. Currently, the most common methodology is the "citizen jury", empowering the participation of representatives of the public, as a mirror to preferences of the individual and society. Despite resistance, consensus conferences remain a successful model for policy-making in healthcare for over 30 years. During 2009 the method was even expended for global discussion involving representatives from 38 nations.

[Necessity of physical activities restriction after lumbar diskectomy]. / Intérêt d'une approche active dans la prise en charge rééducative a la suite d'une première chirurgie rachidienne pour hernie discale.

BACKGROUND: Necessity of physical activities restriction after lumbar discectomy have been described in the literature. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine if early rehabilitation could favorably influence the prognosis of military patients who had undergone lumbar disk surgery. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study involving patients who have had lumbar disk surgery, and had undergone physical rehabilitation program. A clinical evaluation, an assessment of pain and a functional assessment by the Arabic version amended self-questionnaire Oswestry have been made for these patients before and after a rehabilitation program started since the 40th postoperative day. RESULTS: We have collected 50 cases: 40 men and 10 women of average age 30 years. All these patients have been improved after surgery with no radiculalgies, but with persistence lumbar pain syndrome. After rehabilitation program, we noted a reduction of 42.85% of pain and functional improvement with a reduction in the average score of Oswestry index of 61.18%. The average work incapacity was 4 months. A workstation adaptation was indicated for all patients. CONCLUSION: Intensive rehabilitation program started early after lumbar disk surgery can improve the functionality of patients operated, and allows early return to professional activities with reduction of the healthcare cost.

[Neurogenic urinary bladder in patients with spinal cord injury. Protocol of surveillance and management]. / La vessie neurologique du blessé médullaire: protocole de surveillance et de prise en charge.

BACKGROUND: Bladder dysfunction is constant in patients with spinal cord injury and this whatever is the injury level. They are characterized by a variable profile and changing in the course of the years. They constitute not only, an important cause of morbidity in this population but also mortality. AIM: The aim of this work is to emphasize the importance of the diagnosis and to study the bladder behaviour while clarifying the evolution of this type of bladder and to present a protocol of management of a neurogenic bladder. METHODS: retrospective study. 2 assessments in 6 months of interval were realized. The bladder evaluation consisted in a biological assessment, a urinary ultrasound, a cystography and urodynamic investigations. The management is initially realized there to hospital. RESULTS: Our study contains 62 persons with spinal cord injury of average age of 32, 4 years with post traumatic period average is of 41, 47 months. The various evaluations allowed us to conclude that there is a significant change of the neurological status as well as the urinary biological values with significant deterioration of the various ultrasound, cystography and urodynamic data. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis and the management of the neurological bladders of persons with spinal cord injury have to be besides the other deficiencies that these patients as well as neurological, orthopaedic, and cutaneous devices, because this is going to allow to improve their quality as well as their life expectation. Our results underline the importance and the necessity to establish a protocol of neurogenic bladder control rigorous and codified which remains to adapt according to every patient. This protocol is sometimes difficult to apply given the fact of the misunderstanding of this type of deficiency.

[Study of the postural profile and spinal static for menopausal-women with chronic low back pain]. / Etude du profil postural et de la statique rachidienne chez les femmes postménopausées et lombalgiques chroniques.

OBJECTIVES: To study postural and spinal static modifications associated with chronic low back pain in menopausal women. METHODS: Clinical appreciation of static spinal profile in sagittal plane; postural evaluation on the Balance Master Neurocom force platform by the modified clinical test for the sensory interaction on balance (modified CTSIB test); Radiological evaluation of spinal and pelvic parameters as well as the sagittal profile according to the Roussouly classification. RESULTS: Spinal curves clinical measurement and the sway velocity of the pressure center on the Balance Master Neurocom do not show significant difference between the two groups. While the pressure center position in the anteroposterior axis shows significant difference between the two groups (p=0.02) with a more backwards projection found in chronic low back pain subjects. Radiological evaluation shows sagittal shelter significantly superior, sacral slope significantly lower and the type 1 of lumbar lordosis more frequent in chronic low back pain women compared to healthy women. DISCUSSION-CONCLUSION: In menopausal women, chronic low back pain seems to be associated with lower sacal slope, the type 1 of lumbar lordosis more frequent and behindly projection of pressure center.

[Role of the Neurocom Balance Master in assessment of gait problems and risk of falling in elderly people]. / Rôle du Neurocom Balance Master dans l'évaluation des troubles de l'équilibre et du risque de chute chez le sujet âgé.

INTRODUCTION: Falls in elderly people is currently a health service problem because of the multiple consequences. Numerous teams have been interested in predicting the risk of falling with clinical and instrumental tests. Our study investigated instrumental evaluation by use of the Neurocom Balance Master in the global assessment of gait problems and risk of falling in elderly people. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Transverse study concerning 60 subjects older than 65 years distributed in 2 groups of 30 subjects each according to the existence or not of falling incidents during the past year. Evaluation by the Balance Master involved the following items: 1) the modified Clinical Test for the Sensory Interaction on Balance (CTSIB), which estimates balance by measuring the speed of oscillation of the center of pressure (CP) with open then closed eyes and firm then mossy ground; 2) support monopodal 5" to the left then to the right, eyes open then closed in moderated speeds of oscillation of the CP; 3) passage from standing to sitting, in moderated speeds of oscillation of the CP; 4) limits of stability: the possibilities of moving the CP towards a predetermined target without moving the feet in moderated time and speed; 5) study of the step: determine length and width of the step as well as speed; 6) most about-turn: measure of speed of oscillation of the CP during the right then left about-turn; 7) clearing: the force of the impact and the oscillations of the CP during the clearing of an obstacle 10 cm high to measure leverage. RESULTS: The oscillation speed of the CP in the 2 groups during modified CTSIB, support monopodal 5", passage from standing to sitting, about-turn and clearing were significantly improved the group of the patients with falls (P < 0.05). The step, length and speed of these patients were significantly reduced, with no difference in width of the step between the 2 groups. In the evaluation of the limits of stability, only time necessary to reach the target was significantly increased in the group with falls. Finally, the indication of leverage and the force of impact on the ground measured by the test of clearing were more important in the group of fallers than in non-fallers. CONCLUSION: The Neurocom Balance Master estimates not only postural balance, but also the vestibulary system and reproduces the physiological conditions of daily life. It has a certain role in the early assessment of gait problems and the risk of falling. This system also allows for rehabilitation of the impaired balance and offers a profit with the biofeedback.

[Conservative management of full-thickness rotator cuff tears. A prospective study of 24 patients]. / Traitement conservateur des ruptures transfixiantes de la coiffe des rotateurs. Etude prospective ouverte. A propos de 24 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of conservative treatment of full-thickness rotator cuff tears. METHOD: A prospective open study of patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears. The diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasonography examination. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated before treatment, at the end of the treatment, and at 1, 3 and 6 months. Pain and handicap intensity were measured by a visual analogue scale, by the algo-functional Constant score, by articular mobility and, finally, by the resumption of daily and/or professional activities. Successful treatment was considered with a VAS pain scoreor=80. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients, mean age 59 years, with full-thickness rotator cuff tears for 9 months, on average, were included in the study. The parameters of pain function and handicap improved significantly since the end of treatment. The Constant score improved greatly, from 44.8 before treatment to 71.8 at the end of treatment and 74.2 at 6 months. This improvement continued until 3 months after treatment. The rate of success was 75% at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Despite the small sample size, our study confirm that rehabilitation should always be performed before a decision of surgical repair.