Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is associated with higher healthcare utilization after total knee or hip replacement.

Objective: To assess whether juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is associated with healthcare utilization and in-hospital complications after total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA). Method: We used the 1998-2014 US National Inpatient Sample. We performed multivariable-adjusted logistic regression, adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, gender, income, Deyo-Charlson comorbidity index, insurance payer, and the underlying diagnosis. Results: Of the 4 116 485 THAs and 8 127 282 TKAs, 1882 people with JIA had THAs (0.02%) and 1388 had TKAs (0.01%). Compared to people without JIA, people with JIA post-THA and post-TKA had higher odds ratio [OR (95% confidence interval), respectively] of total hospital charges above the median [1.30 (1.05, 1.60) and 1.37 (1.08, 1.74)], length of hospital stay > 3 days [1.64 (1.27, 2.12) and 1.44 (1.07, 1.93)], and discharge to non-home settings [1.37 (1.07, 1.76)] post-THA, but not post-TKA [1.02 (0.77, 1.36)]. People with JIA also had higher OR of transfusion post-TKA [1.92 (1.44, 2.55)], but not post-THA [1.00 (0.77, 1.30)]. Sensitivity analyses that adjusted for hospital characteristics confirmed the main study findings with minimal or no attenuation of OR. Conclusions: People with JIA utilized more healthcare services post-THA/TKA and were more likely to receive transfusions post-TKA. Interventions to reduce the risk of higher resource utilization are needed in people with JIA.

Lupus is associated with poorer outcomes after primary total hip arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess whether lupus is associated with poorer outcomes after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: We used the 1998-2014 US National Inpatient Sample data. Multivariable-adjusted separate logistic regression models assessed the association of lupus with post-operative complications (implant infection, transfusion, THA revision and mortality) and health care utilization outcomes (total hospital charges, discharge to an inpatient facility and length of hospital stay >3 days) post-THA, adjusting for demographics, underlying diagnosis, comorbidity, insurance payer and hospital characteristics, using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Among 4,116,485 primary THA hospitalizations, 22,557 (0.5%) were in patients with lupus. Patients with lupus were younger and more likely to be female, African-American or Hispanic, living in the South, or to have Medicaid insurance, and had higher comorbidity or lower income. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, the presence of lupus was associated with significantly higher risk of implant infection, transfusion, discharge to an inpatient facility and higher hospital charges above the median, with respective ORs of 1.95 (95% CI, 1.28, 2.97), 1.34 (95% CI, 1.25, 1.43), 1.21 (95% CI, 1.01, 1.44) and 1.38 (95% CI, 1.30, 1.47). Lupus was not significantly associated with the risk of revision, mortality or hospital stay >3 days; the ORs were 1.10 (95% CI, 0.68, 1.78), 0.95 (95% CI, 0.61, 1.47) and 1.06 (95% CI, 0.99, 1.13), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Lupus was associated with a higher risk of implant infection, transfusion, discharge to an inpatient facility and higher hospital charges post-primary THA. Insight into modifiable factors associated with these outcomes may improve outcomes in patients with lupus undergoing THA.

Factors associated with the orthopaedic surgeon's decision to recommend total joint replacement in hip and knee osteoarthritis: an international cross-sectional study of 1905 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors associated with orthopaedic surgeons' decision to recommend total joint replacement (TJR) in people with knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study in eleven countries. For consecutive outpatients with definite hip or knee OA consulting an orthopaedic surgeon, the surgeon's indication of TJR was collected, as well as patients' characteristics including comorbidities and social situation, OA symptom duration, pain, stiffness and function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC]), joint-specific quality of life, Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) joint space narrowing (JSN) radiographic grade (0-4), and surgeons' characteristics. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to identify factors associated with the indication of TJR, adjusted by country. RESULTS: In total, 1905 patients were included: mean age was 66.5 (standard deviation [SD], 10.8) years, 1082 (58.0%) were women, mean OA symptom duration was 5.0 (SD 7.0) years. TJR was recommended in 561/1127 (49.8%) knee OA and 542/778 (69.7%) hip OA patients. In multivariable analysis on 516 patients with complete data, the variables associated with TJR indication were radiographic grade (Odds Ratio, OR for one grade increase, for knee and hip OA, respectively: 2.90, 95% confidence interval [1.69-4.97] and 3.30 [2.17-5.03]) and WOMAC total score (OR for 10 points increase: 1.65 [1.32-2.06] and 1.38 [1.15-1.66], respectively). After excluding radiographic grade from the analyses, on 1265 patients, greater WOMAC total score was the main predictor for knee and hip OA; older age was also significant for knee OA. CONCLUSION: Radiographic severity and patient-reported pain and function play a major role in surgeons' recommendation for TJR.

Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), a core instrument to measure symptoms in clinical trials: a Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema (HOME) statement.

BACKGROUND: The Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema (HOME) initiative has defined four core outcome domains for a core outcome set (COS) to be measured in all atopic eczema (AE) trials to ensure cross-trial comparison: clinical signs, symptoms, quality of life and long-term control. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to report on the consensus process that was used to select the core instrument to consistently assess symptoms in all future AE trials. METHODS: Following the HOME roadmap, two systematic reviews were performed which identified three instruments that had sufficient evidence of validity, reliability and feasibility to be considered for the final COS. RESULTS: At the fourth international HOME meeting, there was broad consensus among all stakeholders that the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) should be used as the core instrument (87·5% agreed, 9·4% unsure, 3·1% disagreed). CONCLUSIONS: All relevant stakeholders are encouraged to use POEM as the chosen instrument to measure the core domain of symptoms in all future AE clinical trials. Other instruments of interest can be used in addition to POEM.

Report from the fourth international consensus meeting to harmonize core outcome measures for atopic eczema/dermatitis clinical trials (HOME initiative).

This article is a report of the fourth meeting of the Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema (HOME) initiative held in Malmö, Sweden on 23-24 April 2015 (HOME IV). The aim of the meeting was to achieve consensus over the preferred outcome instruments for measuring patient-reported symptoms and quality of life for the HOME core outcome set for atopic eczema (AE). Following presentations, which included data from systematic reviews, consensus discussions were held in a mixture of whole group and small group discussions. Small groups were allocated a priori to ensure representation of different stakeholders and countries. Decisions were voted on using electronic keypads. For the patient-reported symptoms, the group agreed by vote that itch, sleep loss, dryness, redness/inflamed skin and irritated skin were all considered essential aspects of AE symptoms. Many instruments for capturing patient-reported symptoms were discussed [including the Patient-Oriented SCOring Atopic Dermatitis index, Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), Self-Administered Eczema Area and Severity Index, Itch Severity Scale, Atopic Dermatitis Quickscore and the Nottingham Eczema Severity Score] and, by consensus, POEM was selected as the preferred instrument to measure patient-reported symptoms. Further work is needed to determine the reliability and measurement error of POEM. Further work is also required to establish the importance of pain/soreness and the importance of collecting information regarding the intensity of symptoms in addition to their frequency. Much of the discussion on quality of life concerned the Dermatology Life Quality Index and Quality of Life Index for Atopic Dermatitis; however, consensus on a preferred instrument for measuring this domain could not be reached. In summary, POEM is recommended as the HOME core outcome instrument for measuring AE symptoms.

Validity and sensitivity to change of three scales for the radiographic assessment of knee osteoarthritis using images from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST).

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the concurrent validity and sensitivity to change of three knee osteoarthritis (OA) grading scales. The Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) and the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) joint space narrowing (JSN) grading scales are well-established. The third scale, the compartmental grading scale for OA (CG) is a novel scale which grades JSN, femoral osteophytes, tibial erosion and subluxation to create a total score. METHODS: One sample of 72 posteroanterior (PA) fixed-flexion radiographs displaying mild to moderate knee OA was selected from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) to study validity. A second sample of 75 radiograph pairs, which showed an increase in OA severity over 30 months, was selected to study sensitivity to change. The three radiographic grading scales were applied to each radiograph in both samples. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were used to correlate the radiographic grades and the change in grades over 30 months with a Whole-organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS)-based composite score which included five articular features of knee OA. RESULTS: Correlations between the KL, OARSI JSN and CG grading scales and the magnetic resonance image (MRI)-based score were 0.836, 0.840 and 0.773 (P < 0.0001) respectively while correlations between change in the radiographic grading scales and change in the MRI-based score were 0.501, 0.525 and 0.492 (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: All three radiographic grading scales showed high validity and are suitable to assess knee OA severity. They showed moderate sensitivity to change; therefore caution should be taken when using ordinal radiographic grading scales to monitor knee OA over time.

Clinically important body weight gain following total hip arthroplasty: a cohort study with 5-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: Literature examining the effects of total hip arthroplasty (THA) on subsequent body weight gain is inconclusive. Determining the extent to which clinically relevant weight gain occurs following THA has important public health implications. DESIGN: We used multi-variable logistic regression to compare data from one of the largest US-based THA registries to a population-based control sample from the same geographic region. We also identified factors that increased risk of clinically important weight gain specifically among persons undergoing THA. The outcome measure of interest was weight gain of ≥5% of body weight up to 5 years following surgery. RESULTS: The multi-variable adjusted [age, sex, body mass index (BMI), education, comorbidity and pre-surgical weight change] odds ratio for important weight gain was 1.7 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06, 2.6] for a person with THA as compared to the control sample. Additional arthroplasty procedures during the 5-year follow-up further increased odds for important weight gain (OR = 2.0, 95% CI, 1.4, 2.7) relative to the control sample. A patient with THA had increased risk of important post-surgical weight gain of 12% (OR = 1.12, 95% CI, 1.08, 1.16) for every kilogram of pre-operative weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: While findings should be interpreted with caution because of missing follow-up weight data, patients with THA appear to be at increased risk of clinically important weight gain following surgery as compared to peers. Patients less than 60 years and who have lost a substantial amount of weight prior to surgery appear to be at particularly high risk of important post-surgical weight gain.

The role of pain and functional impairment in the decision to recommend total joint replacement in hip and knee osteoarthritis: an international cross-sectional study of 1909 patients. Report of the OARSI-OMERACT Task Force on total joint replacement.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the pain and functional disability levels corresponding to an indication for total joint replacement (TJR) in hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: International cross-sectional study in 10 countries. PATIENTS: Consecutive outpatients with definite hip or knee OA attending an orthopaedic outpatient clinic. Gold standard measure for recommendation for TJR: Surgeon's decision that TJR is justified. OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain (ICOAP: intermittent and constant osteoarthritis pain, 0-100) and functional impairment (HOOS-PS/KOOS-PS: Hip/Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Physical function Short-form, 0-100). ANALYSES: Comparison of patients with vs without surgeons' indication for TJR. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analyses and logistic regression were applied to determine cut points of pain and disability defining recommendation for TJR. RESULTS: In all, 1909 patients were included (1130 knee/779 hip OA). Mean age was 66.4 [standard deviation (SD) 10.9] years, 58.1% were women; 628/1130 (55.6%) knee OA and 574/779 (73.7%) hip OA patients were recommended for TJR. Although patients recommended for TJR (yes vs no) had worse symptom levels [pain, 55.5 (95% confidence interval 54.2, 56.8) vs. 44.9 (43.2, 46.6), and functional impairment, 59.8 (58.7, 60.9) vs. 50.9 (49.3, 52.4), respectively, both P<0.0001], there was substantial overlap in symptom levels between groups, even when adjusting for radiographic joint status. Thus, it was not possible to determine cut points for pain and function defining 'requirement for TJR'. CONCLUSION: Although symptom levels were higher in patients recommended for TJR, pain and functional disability alone did not discriminate between those who were and were not considered to need TJR by the orthopaedic surgeon.

Accuracy of VA databases for diagnoses of knee replacement and hip replacement.

PURPOSE: To examine the validity of International Classification of Diseases-Ninth Revision (ICD-9) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for knee replacement and hip replacement in Veterans Affairs (VA) databases. METHODS: From a cohort of veterans who received health care at Minneapolis VA Medical Center and/or affiliated medical facilities, we obtained four random samples of 50 patients each with: neither hip nor knee replacement code, knee replacement code only, hip replacement code only and both knee and hip replacement codes. The gold standard was documentation of knee or hip replacement surgery in patient medical records. Accuracy of ICD-9 or CPT code for knee and hip replacement was assessed by calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV). RESULTS: Of the 200 patients, medical records were available for 166:140 (70%) had complete medical records and 26 (13%) had incomplete medical records. Knee replacement codes were accurate with excellent PPV of 95%, sensitivity of 95%, specificity of 96% and NPV of 96%. Hip replacement codes were accurate with excellent PPV of 98%, sensitivity of 96%, specificity of 99% and NPV of 96%. Sensitivity analyses that included incomplete charts had little impact on these estimates. The procedure dates found in VA databases matched exactly with medical records in 96%. CONCLUSIONS: The ICD-9 and CPT codes for knee replacement and hip replacement in VA databases are valid. These codes may be used to identify cohorts of veterans with knee replacement and hip replacement for research studies.

Predictors of moderate-severe functional limitation after primary Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA): 4701 TKAs at 2-years and 2935 TKAs at 5-years.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate whether body mass index (BMI), comorbidity, gender and age predict patient-reported functional limitation 2- and 5-years after primary Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Overall moderate-severe activity limitation was defined as > or = 2 activities (walking, stairs, rising from chair) with moderate-severe limitation. Complete dependence on walking aids or inability to walk was assessed (reference, no dependence). Multivariable logistic regression models were adjusted additionally for income, diagnosis, distance from medical center, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and implant type. RESULTS: Overall moderate-severe activity limitation was reported by 20.7% at 2-years and 27.1% at 5-years. Significantly predictors of overall moderate-severe activity limitation 2-years post-TKA (odds (95% confidence interval)) were: BMI 30-34.9, 1.5 (1.0, 2.0), 35-39.9, 1.8 (1.3, 2.7) and > or = 40, 3.0 (2.0, 4.5) vs BMI < or = 25; higher Deyo-Charlson index, 1.7 (1.4, 2.2) per 5-point increase; female gender, 2.0 (1.7, 2.5); age 71-80, 2.1 (1.5, 2.8) and age > 80, 4.1 (2.7, 6.1) vs age < or = 60. At 5-years post-TKA, significant predictors of overall moderate-severe activity limitation were: BMI 35-39.9, 2.1 (1.4, 3.3) and > or = 40, 3.9 (2.3, 6.5); higher Deyo-Charlson index, 1.4 (1.0, 1.8); female gender, 2.2 (1.7, 2.7); age 71-80, 2.4 (1.7, 3.5) and age > 80, 4.7 (2.8, 7.9). Complete dependence on walking aids was significantly higher at 2- and 5-years, respectively, in patients with: higher comorbidity, 2.3 (1.5, 3.3) and 2.1 (1.4, 3.2); female gender 2.4 (1.5, 3.9) and 1.7 (1.1, 2.6); age 71-80, 1.4 (0.8, 2.6) and 1.5 (0.8, 2.8); and age > 80, 3.2 (1.6, 6.7) and 5.1 (2.3, 11.0). CONCLUSIONS: Modifiable (BMI, comorbidity) and non-modifiable predictors (age, gender) increased the risk of functional limitation and walking-aid dependence after primary TKA. Interventions targeting comorbidity and BMI pre-operatively may positively impact function post-TKA.

COVID-19: Science and global health governance under attack.

Less than 3 months after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and within a month of the WHO declaring COVID19 a global pandemic, COVID-19 infections and fatalities have grown exponentially, globally. Now, more than ever, the world needs responsible political leadership, evidence-based decision-making, and co-ordinated global health action.

COVID-19: Mandatory institutional isolation v. voluntary home self-isolation.

Since community transmission of COVID-19 became established in South Africa, individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and who do not require hospitalisation have been permitted to self-isolate in their homes to reduce the burden on the health system. The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Province has since announced that self-isolation will no longer be permitted in the province. Instead, mandatory isolation in state-designated isolation sites would apply. This policy change marks a dangerous departure from the country's prevailing position on home-based self-isolation and should not be replicated elsewhere.

Critical care triaging in the shadow of COVID-19: Ethics considerations.

Since the World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, COVID-19 infection and the associated mortality have increased exponentially, globally. South Africa (SA) is no exception. Concerns abound over whether SA's healthcare system can withstand a demand for care that is disproportionate to current resources, both in the state and private health sectors. While healthcare professionals in SA have become resilient and adept at making difficult decisions in the face of resource limitations, a surge in COVID-19 cases could place a severe strain on the country's critical care services and necessitate unprecedented rationing decisions. This could occur at two critical points: access to ventilation, and withdrawal of intensive care in non- responsive or deteriorating cases. The ethical dimensions of decision-making at both junctures merit urgent consideration.

Examining Timeliness of Total Knee Replacement Among Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis in the U.S.: Results from the OAI and MOST Longitudinal Cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Patients with knee osteoarthritis may undergo total knee replacement too early or may delay or underuse this procedure. We quantified these categories of total knee replacement utilization in 2 cohorts of participants with knee osteoarthritis and investigated factors associated with each category. METHODS: Data were pooled from 2 multicenter cohort studies that collected demographic, patient-reported, radiographic, clinical examination, and total knee replacement utilization information longitudinally on 8,002 participants who had or were at risk for knee osteoarthritis and were followed for up to 8 years. Validated total knee replacement appropriateness criteria were longitudinally applied to classify participants as either potentially appropriate or likely inappropriate for total knee replacement. Participants were further classified on the basis of total knee replacement utilization into 3 categories: timely (indicating that the patient had total knee replacement within 2 years after the procedure had become potentially appropriate), potentially appropriate but knee not replaced (indicating that the knee had remained unreplaced for >2 years after the procedure had become potentially appropriate), and premature (indicating that the procedure was likely inappropriate but had been performed). Utilization rates were calculated, and factors associated with each category were identified. RESULTS: Among 8,002 participants, 3,417 knees fulfilled our inclusion and exclusion criteria and were classified into 1 of 3 utilization categories as follows: 290 knees (8% of the total and 9% of the knees for which replacement was potentially appropriate) were classified as "timely", 2,833 knees (83% of the total and 91% of those for which replacement was potentially appropriate) were classified as "potentially appropriate but not replaced", and 294 knees (comprising 9% of the total and 26% of the 1,114 total knee replacements performed) were considered to be "likely inappropriate" yet underwent total knee replacement and were classified as "premature". Of the knees that were potentially appropriate but were not replaced, 1,204 (42.5%) had severe symptoms. Compared with the patients who underwent timely total knee replacement, the likelihood of being classified as potentially appropriate but not undergoing total knee replacement was greater for black participants and the likelihood of having premature total knee replacement was lower among participants with a body mass index of >25 kg/m and those with depression. CONCLUSIONS: In 2 multicenter cohorts of patients with knee osteoarthritis, we observed substantial numbers of patients who had premature total knee replacement as well as of patients for whom total knee replacement was potentially appropriate but had not been performed >2 years after it had become potentially appropriate. Further understanding of these observations is needed, especially among the latter group. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Undergoing total knee replacement too early may result in little or no benefit while exposing the patient to the risks of a major operation, whereas waiting too long may cause limitations in physical activity that in turn increase the risk of additional disability and chronic disease; however, little is known about timing of this surgery. We quantified the extent of premature, timely, and delayed use, and found a high prevalence of both premature and delayed use.

The Critical Care Society of Southern Africa guidelines on the allocation of scarce critical care resources during the COVID-19 public health emergency in South Africa.

Letter by Gopalan et al. on article by Singh and Moodley (Singh JA, Moodley K. Critical care triaging in the shadow of COVID-19: Ethics considerations. S Afr Med J 2020;110(5):355-359. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2020.v110i5.14778); and response by Singh and Moodley.

Opportunities for improving medication use and monitoring in gout.

PURPOSE: To study patterns and predictors of medication use and laboratory monitoring in gout. METHODS: In a cohort of veterans with a diagnosis of gout prescribed allopurinol, colchicine or probenecid, quality of care was assessed by examining adherence to the following evidence-based recommendations: (1) whether patients starting a new allopurinol prescription (a) received continuous allopurinol, (b) received colchicine prophylaxis, (c) achieved the target uric acid level of

Health care utilization in patients with spondyloarthropathies.

OBJECTIVE: To study health care utilization in veterans with SpAs. METHODS: In a postal survey of 70,508 veterans in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN)-13 from 1 October 1996 to 31 March 1998, demographics, smoking status and performance of activities of daily living (ADLs) were queried. Databases provided ICD-9 codes for AS, PsA and ReA; comorbidities; demographics; and health care utilization post-survey in respondents. Multivariable linear/logistic regression compared out- and inpatient health care utilization in SpA vs non-SpA, and its predictors in SpA. RESULTS: A total of 1001 veteran respondents had diagnoses of SpA: AS, n = 154; PsA, n = 814; ReA, n = 33. Veterans with AS, PsA and ReA, respectively, had significantly higher adjusted annual medical specialty (2.8, 3.6 and 3 vs 1.5; P < 0.0001), surgical care (3.3, 2.7 and 3.2 vs 1.9; P < 0.0001) and primary care visits (3.4, 3.0 and 2.3 vs 2.7, P = 0.024). Multivariable-adjusted analyses showed that more ADL limitations and higher comorbidity were associated with higher in- and outpatient health care utilization in PsA and none of the predictors were significantly associated with utilization in AS. CONCLUSIONS: After adjustment for differences in demographics and comorbidities, more outpatient health resource utilization was observed in SpA patients. Further studies should focus on what leads to this increase in utilization, and whether any modifiable factors can be introduced to reduce health care utilization in PsA patients.

Can patients help with long-term total knee arthroplasty surveillance? Comparison of the American Knee Society Score self-report and surgeon assessment.

OBJECTIVES: To compare patient self-report of knee flexion, extension, range of motion (ROM) and American Knee Society (AKS) Pain, Knee and Functional scores with a clinician assessment. METHODS: A total of 239 consecutive total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients (290 knees) were mailed surveys with an AKS questionnaire and lateral knee photographs that showed knee ROM in 10 degrees increments to compare their operated knee(s) ROM. Patients were subsequently seen in clinic and their ROM, AKS Pain, Knee and Functional scores were measured. Patient- and physician-reported measures were compared using independent sample t-test and correlated using Spearman's correlation coefficient. A priori rules for comparisons were based on previously published reports. RESULTS: A total of 286 knees had both survey and clinic data available and constituted the analytic set. Patient-reported and physician-assessed extension, flexion and ROM were: 3 +/- 4.8 degrees vs 1.4 +/- 4.3 degrees (P < 0.001), 111.4 +/- 14.6 degrees vs 110 +/- 12.8 degrees (P = 0.04) and 108.6 +/- 16.8 vs 108.6 +/- 14.3 degrees (P = 0.98). There was a moderate correlation between patient and physician assessments (extension = 0.31; flexion = 0.44; ROM = 0.42; P < or = 0.001 for all). Patient-reported and physician-assessed AKS Pain, Knee and Functional scores were: 35.8 +/- 15.6 vs 43.9 +/- 11.1 (P < 0.001), 79.8 +/- 20 vs 88.9 +/- 13.3 (P < 0.001) and 57.7 +/- 23.1 vs 65.7 +/- 26.4 (P < 0.001), respectively. Patient- and physician-assessed AKS Pain, Knee and Functional scores had moderate-high correlation (r = 0.49, 0.49 and 0.70; P < or = 0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: Long-term surveillance of TKA patients may be possible using a self-report AKS, but the average 8- to 10-point difference between patient- and physician-reported AKS scores (patients reporting poorer scores) represents a substantial impact on this outcome instrument. Since patient-reported responses have clear value in global assessment, further evaluation with other validated outcome instruments is warranted.

Gout is associated with more comorbidities, poorer health-related quality of life and higher healthcare utilisation in US veterans.

OBJECTIVE: To better understand the impact of gout on functional status, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), mortality and healthcare utilisation in US veterans. METHODS: All veterans seen in Veterans Integrated Service Network-13 from 1 October 1996 to 31 March 1998 received mailed surveys asking about demographic characteristics; performance of activities of daily living and HRQoL by Short Form-36 (SF-36) for Veterans. Administrative data included demographics; inpatient/outpatient healthcare utilisation; ICD-9 codes for gout, medical comorbidities and arthritis excluding gout-"arthritic comorbidity" and 1-year mortality. Multivariable estimates compared results between veterans with/without gout using least means squared. SUBJECTS: with gout were significantly older, retired, not married, current non-smokers, with more comorbidities. Multivariable-adjusted bodily pain was somewhat worse (49.7 vs 47.1, p<0.01) and mental health (66.7 vs 68.6, p<0.01) domain scores somewhat better in patients with gout, both differences significant but not clinically meaningful (less than threshold of 5-10 points); other SF-36 domain and summary scores and functional limitations were similar. Medical or arthritic comorbidities predicted clinically/statistically lower adjusted scores in all SF-36 domains and physical domains (physical component summary), respectively. Patients with gout had significantly more annual primary care visits (3.5 vs 2.7, p<0.001) and admissions to hospital (18.3% vs 15.1%, p<0.01), fewer mental health visits (10.1% vs 13.7%, p<0.01) and similar mortality (2.6% vs 2.2%, p = 0.23). CONCLUSIONS: Gout is independently associated with higher medical and arthritic comorbidity, primary care and inpatient utilisation. Poorer HRQoL, functional limitation and higher mortality noted in univariate analyses in patients with gout were attributable to higher comorbidity and sociodemographic characteristics.