Reductions in functional muscle mass and ability to ambulate in Duchenne muscular dystrophy from ages 4 to 24 years.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) results in a progressive loss of functional skeletal muscle mass (MM) and replacement with fibrofatty tissue. Accurate evaluation of MM in DMD patients has not previously been available. Our objective was to measure MM using the D3creatine (D3Cr) dilution method and determine its relationship with strength and functional capacity in patients with DMD over a wide range of ages. Subjects were recruited for participation in a 12 month, longitudinal, observational study. Here, we report the baseline data. A 20 mg dose of D3Cr dissolved in water was ingested by 92 patients with DMD (ages 4-25 years) followed later with a fasting urine sample. Enrichment of D3creatinine was determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) total score was determined for ambulatory participants, and the Performance of Upper Limb (PUL 2.0) total score and grip strength for all participants. We observed a significant age-associated increase in body weight along with a substantial decrease in MM/body weight (%MM). MM and %MM were associated with PUL score (r = 0.517, P < 0.0001 and r = 0.764, P < 0.0001 respectively). The age-associated decrease in MM and %MM was strongly associated with ambulatory status. We observed very little overlap in %MM between ambulant and non-ambulant subjects, suggesting a threshold of 18-22% associated with loss of ambulation. MM is substantially diminished with advancing age and is highly related to clinically meaningful functional status. The D3Cr dilution method may provide a biomarker of disease progression and therapeutic efficacy in patients with DMD or other neuromuscular disorders. KEY POINTS: The non-invasive D3creatine dilution method provides novel data on whole body functional muscle mass (MM) in a wide range of ages in patients with DMD and reveals profoundly low functional MM in older non-ambulant patients. The difference in %MM between ambulant and non-ambulant subjects suggests a threshold for loss of ambulatory ability between 18 and 22% MM. The data suggest that as functional MM declines with age, maintaining a lower body weight may help to conserve ambulatory ability.

Outcomes in Patients With Heel Ulcerations that Underwent Below the Knee Amputations Versus Vertical Contour Calcanectomy: Importance of Selection Criteria.

The aim of the study was to compare preoperative factors and postoperative outcomes in patients with heel ulcerations that primarily had a transtibial (below the knee) amputation (N = 38) versus vertical contour calcanectomy (n = 62). The groups had no statistical difference between their Charlson Comorbidity Index Score, a prognostic score of 10-year survival in patients with multiple comorbidities. The odds of primary closure were 21.1 times higher in patients that underwent below knee amputation compared to patients that underwent vertical contour calcanectomy (OR 21.1 [95% CI 3.89-114.21]). The odds of positive soft tissue culture at time of closure were 17.1 times higher for patients that underwent vertical contour calcanectomy (OR 17.1 [95% CI 5.40-54.16]). The odds of a patent posterior tibial artery were 3.3 times higher for patients that underwent vertical contour calcanectomy (OR 3.3 [95% 1.09-10.09]). The secondary aim of the study was to evaluate preoperative factors and postoperative outcomes in patients with failed vertical contour calcanectomy, defined as needing a below knee amputation. The odds of vertical contour calcanectomy failure was 13.7 times higher in male patients (OR 13.7 [95% CI 1.80-107.60]). Vertical contour calcanectomy failure was 5.7 times higher in patients with renal disease (OR 5.7 [95% CI 1.10-30.30]), and vertical contour calcanectomy failure was 16.1 times higher for patients who needed additional surgery post closure (OR 16.1 [95% CI 1.40-183.20]).

Impact of ambulatory status change on survival in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia undergoing infrainguinal surgical or endovascular revascularization.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of change in ambulatory status on the prognosis of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) undergoing infrainguinal bypass surgery or endovascular therapy (EVT). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from two vascular centers for patients who underwent revascularization for CLTI between 2015 and 2020. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoints were changes in ambulatory status and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Throughout the study, 377 patients and 508 limbs were analyzed. In the preoperative nonambulation cohort, the average body mass index (BMI) was lower in the postoperative nonambulatory group than in the postoperative ambulatory group (P < .01). The percentage of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) was higher in the postoperative nonambulatory group than in the postoperative ambulatory group (P = .01). In the preoperative ambulation cohort, the average controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score was higher in the postoperative nonambulatory group than in the postoperative ambulatory group (P < .01). There was no difference in the bypass percentage and the EVT in the preoperative nonambulation (P = .32) and ambulation (P = .70) cohorts. According to the change in ambulatory status before and after revascularization, the 1-year OS rates were 86.8% in the ambulatory → ambulatory group, 81.1% in the nonambulatory → ambulatory group, 54.7% in the nonambulatory → nonambulatory group, and 23.9% in the ambulatory → nonambulatory group (P < .01). On multivariate analysis, increased age (P = .04), higher Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection stage (P = .02), and increased CONUT score (P < .01) were independent risk factors for the decline in ambulatory status in patients with preoperative ambulation. In patients with preoperative nonambulation, increased BMI (P < .01) and absence of CVD (P = .04) were independent factors related to the improved ambulatory status. The percentages of postoperative complications were 31.0% and 17.0% in the preoperative nonambulation and the preoperative ambulation in the overall cohort (P < .01). Preoperative nonambulatory status (P < .01), CONUT score (P < .01), and bypass surgery (P < .01) were risk factors for postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Improved ambulatory status is associated with better OS in patients with preoperative nonambulatory status after infrainguinal revascularization for CLTI. Although patients with preoperative nonambulatory status have a risk of postoperative complication, some may benefit from revascularization if they have no factors such as low BMI and CVD, improving their ambulatory status.

Safety and immunogenicity of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in inpatients with muscular dystrophy.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Due to muscular weakness and cardiopulmonary dysfunction, patients with muscular dystrophy (MD) have an increased risk of serious complications from coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Although vaccination is recommended, COVID-19 vaccination safety and immunogenicity in these patients are unknown. We investigated reaction frequency, post-vaccine antibody titers after two mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses, and clinical predictors of antibody response among patients with MD. METHODS: We recruited 171 inpatients with MD receiving two BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses from seven hospitals. Blood samples were obtained from 53 inpatients before the first dose and 28 to 30 days after the second dose, and antibody titers were measured. RESULTS: Overall, 104 (60.8%) and 115 (67.6%) patients had side effects after the first and second doses, respectively. These were generally mild and self-limited. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a bedridden state was associated with reduced side effects (odds ratio [OR] = 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12 to 0.71). The antibody titers of all participants changed from negative to positive after two vaccine doses. The geometric mean titer (GMT) of the inpatients was 239 (95% CI, 159.3 to 358.7). Older age (relative risk [RR] = 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95 to 0.99) and bedridden state (RR = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.14 to 0.51) were associated with a lower antibody titer. Patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) had a lower GMT than patients with other MDs (RR = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.85). DISCUSSION: COVID-19 vaccination is safe and immunogenic in inpatients with MD. Patients with DM1 appear to have a poorer COVID-19 antibody response than those with other MDs.

Ambulatory status after revision total hip arthroplasty in elective versus fracture indications.

INTRODUCTION: To improve revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA) prognosis and postoperative management, a better understanding of how non-elective and elective indications influence clinical outcomes is needed. We sought to compare ambulatory status, complication rates, and implant survival rates in patients who underwent aseptic rTHA for periprosthetic fracture or elective indications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study examined all aseptic rTHA patients with a minimum follow-up of two years at a single tertiary referral center. Patients were divided into two groups: fracture rTHA (F-rTHA) if the patient had a periprosthetic femoral or acetabular fracture, and elective rTHA (E-rTHA) if the patient underwent rTHA for other aseptic indications. Multivariate regression was performed for clinical outcomes to adjust for baseline characteristics, and Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to assess implant survival. RESULTS: A total of 324 patients (F-rTHA: 67, E-rTHA: 257) were included. In the F-rTHA cohort, 57 (85.0%) and 10 (15.0%) had femoral and acetabular periprosthetic fractures, respectively. F-rTHA patients were more likely to be discharged to skilled nursing (40.3% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.049) and acute rehabilitation facilities (19.4% vs. 7.8%, p = 0.004). F-rTHA patients had higher 90-day readmission rates (26.9% vs. 16.0%, p = 0.033). Ambulatory status at three months postoperatively significantly differed (p = 0.004); F-rTHA patients were more likely to use a walker (44.6% vs. 18.8%) and less likely to ambulate independently (19.6% vs. 28.6%) or with a cane (28.6% vs. 41.1%). These differences did not persist at one and two years postoperatively. Freedom from all-cause re-revision (77.6% vs. 74.7%, p = 0.912) and re-revision due to PJI (88.1% vs. 91.9%, p = 0.206) were similar at five-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to rTHA performed for elective aseptic indications, fracture rTHA patients had poorer early functional outcomes, with greater need for ambulatory aids and non-home discharge. However, these differences did not persist long term and did not portend increased infection or re-revision rates.

Patient-reported prevalence of gastrointestinal issues in the adult skeletal dysplasia population with a concentration on osteogenesis imperfecta.

Patient-reported concerns indicate that gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations affect the skeletal dysplasia population, but quantitative information regarding prevalence and severity of GI issues is limited. We examined the frequency and characteristics of GI symptoms in adults with skeletal dysplasias by reviewing 101 responses to the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). Participant demographics, medication history, and ambulatory status were collected from medical records. Compared to published GSRS reference data, our cohort scored higher on reflux, diarrhea, and total scores, and lower on abdominal pain and indigestion scores; none of these differences were statistically significant. Although osteogenesis imperfecta respondents had more severe symptoms across all domains, only reflux reached significance (p = 0.009). Scores in patients with achondroplasia were higher for indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, and total scores and lower on abdominal pain and reflux scores than the general population; only the diarrhea score was significant (p = 0.034). There were no statistically significant differences in any of the domain or total GSRS scores across ambulatory status groups. Increased height correlated with worse abdominal pain domain score (p = 0.033). The number of medications positively correlated with total GSRS score (p = 0.013). Future studies should include larger numbers of individuals to allow a more in-depth analysis of patient-reported symptoms and signs within this population.

Impact of impaired ambulatory capacity on the outcomes of peripheral vascular interventions among patients with chronic limb-threating ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: Despite prior literature recommending against limb salvage in patients with poor functional status such as nonambulatory patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), peripheral endovascular interventions continue to be carried out in this group of patients. Clinical outcomes following these interventions are, however, not well-characterized. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on all patients treated for CLTI in the Vascular Quality Initiative from September 2016 to December 2019. Logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, log-rank tests, and Cox regression analyses were used as appropriate to study outcomes. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 1-year amputation-free survival. The secondary outcomes were in-hospital death, postoperative complications, 1-year freedom from major amputation, and 2-year survival. RESULTS: Of the 49,807 patients studied, 28,469 (57.2%) were ambulatory, 15,148 (31.0%) were ambulatory with assistance, 5395 (10.8%) were wheelchair bound, and 525 (1.1%) were bedridden. There was a 2-fold increase in the odds of 30-day death in patients who were ambulatory with assistance (odds ratio [OR], 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.77-2.34; P < .001) and wheelchair-bound patients (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.74-2.51; P < .001), and a more than 6-fold increase in bedridden patients (OR, 6.28; 95% CI, 4.55-8.65; P < .001) compared with ambulatory patients. There was a significantly higher odds of postoperative complications in patients who were ambulatory with assistance or bedridden, but no difference with wheelchair-bound patients. Among ambulatory patients, the risks of major amputation and death within 1 year were only 10% and 12%, respectively, whereas that of bedridden patients were as high as 30% and 38%, respectively. A stepwise decrease in amputation-free survival from 81% with full ambulatory capacity to less than 50% (47.7%) in bedridden patients was observed. The risk of major amputation or death within 1 year was 35% higher for ambulatory with assistance (hazard ratio [HR], 1.35; 95% CI, 1.26-1.44; P < .001), 65% higher for wheelchair-bound (HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.51-1.79; P < .001) and 2.6-fold higher for bedridden (HR, 2.64; 95% CI, 2.17-3.21; P < .001) compared with ambulatory. A similar association was seen for 1-year freedom from major amputation and 2-year survival. CONCLUSIONS: Ambulatory impairment in patients with CLTI is associated with a significant increase in 30-day mortality and significant decrease in amputation-free survival after peripheral endovascular intervention. Bedridden patients had a 6-fold increase in the 30-day death rate, whereas their amputation-free survival dropped to less than 50% at 1 year. These risks should be considered during shared decision-making regarding management options for nonambulatory patients with CLTI.

Functional ambulatory status as a potential adjunctive decision-making tool following wound, level of ischemia, and severity of foot infection assessment.

The Society for Vascular Surgery Lower Extremity Threatened Limb Classification System has been developed to stratify amputation risk on the basis of extent of the wound, level of ischemia, and severity of foot infection (WIfI). However, there are no currently validated metrics to assess, grade, and consider functional status, especially ambulatory status, as a major consideration during limb salvage efforts. Therefore, we propose an adjunct to the current WIfI system to include the patient's ambulatory functional status after initial assessment of limb threat. We propose a functional ambulatory score divided into grade 0, ambulation outside the home with or without an assistive device; grade 1, ambulation within the home with or without an assistive device; grade 2, minimal ambulation, limbs used for transfers; and grade 3, a person who is bed-bound. Adding ambulatory function as a supplementary assessment tool can guide clinical decision making to achieve optimal future functional ambulatory outcome, a patient-centered goal as critical as limb preservation. This adjunct may aid limb preservation teams in rapid, effective communication and clinical decision making after initial WIfI assessment. It may also improve efforts toward patient-centered care and functional ambulatory outcome as a primary objective. We suggest a score of functional ambulatory status should be included in future trials of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

Functional prognosis of critical limb ischemia and efficacy of restoration of direct flow below the ankle.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with critical limb ischemia have serious systemic comorbidities and are at high risk of impairment of limb function. In this study, we assessed the prognostic factors of limbs after revascularization. METHODS: In this retrospective single-center cohort study, from April 2008 to December 2012, we treated 154 limbs of 121 patients with critical limb ischemia by the endovascular therapy-first approach based on the patients' characteristics. The primary end point was amputation-free survival. Secondary end points were patency of a revascularized artery, major adverse limb events, or death. Furthermore, we investigated the ambulatory status one year after revascularization as prognosis of limb function. RESULTS: Endovascular therapy was performed in 85 limbs in 65 patients as the initial therapy (endovascular therapy group) and surgical reconstructive procedures (bypass group) were performed in 69 limbs in 56 patients. Early mortality within 30 days was not observed in either group. The primary patency rate was significantly better in the bypass group than in the endovascular therapy group ( p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the secondary patency rate was similar between the two groups ( p = 0.0096). There were no significant differences in amputation-free survival and major adverse limb event between the two groups. Univariate analysis showed that ulcer healing ( p < 0.0001), no hypoalbuminemia ( p = 0.0019), restoration of direct flow below the ankle ( p = 0.0219), no previous cerebrovascular disease ( p = 0.0389), and Rutherford 4 ( p = 0.0469) were predictive factors for preservation of ambulatory status one year after revascularization. In multivariate analysis, ulcer healing ( p < 0.0001) and restoration of direct flow below the ankle ( p = 0.0060) were significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Ulcer healing and restoration of direct flow below the ankle are independently associated with prognosis of limb functions in patients who undergo infrainguinal arterial reconstruction.

Quantifying the Risk of Spinal Injury in Motor Vehicle Collisions According to Ambulatory Status: A Prospective Analytical Study.

BACKGROUND: The association between ambulation at the scene of a motor vehicle collision (MVC) and spinal injury has never been quantified. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between ambulation and spinal injury in patients involved in a MVC. METHODS: Prospective analytical-observational cohort study. Inclusion: patients sustaining traumatic injury in a MVC. Exclusion: < 18 years old, pregnancy. PRIMARY OUTCOME: spinal injury defined as injury to the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spinal cord, bones, or ligaments. Secondary outcome: Injury resulting in neurological deficit, need for surgery, or death. A generalized linear model was used to evaluate the association between outcome and predictor variables. Risk ratios [RR] were reported with a point estimate and 95% confidence interval (CI). A two-tailed alpha of < 0.05 was the threshold for statistical significance. RESULTS: There were 704 patients analyzed. Nonambulatory patients were 2.29 times more likely to sustain a spinal injury, compared to ambulatory patients (RR 2.29, 95% CI 1.34-3.91). Patients ≥ 65 years of age were 3.27 times more likely to sustain a spinal injury (RR 3.27, 95% CI 1.66-6.45). Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 8 were 4.93 times more likely to sustain a spinal injury (RR 4.93, 95% CI 1.86-13.10). CONCLUSION: In this prospective analytical-observational study evaluating the association between ambulatory status and spinal injury in patients involved in MVCs, we observed that those patients who were nonambulatory were more than two times as likely to have a spinal injury compared to those patients who were ambulatory at the scene.

Predictors of Functional Recovery Following Periprosthetic Distal Femur Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Treatment options for periprosthetic distal femur fractures include open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) and distal femoral replacement (DFR). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the complications, and functional recovery (ambulatory status, living situation, mortality) in patients undergoing operative treatment (DFR and ORIF) of periprosthetic distal femur fractures. METHODS: A retrospective review of 58 patients with distal femoral periprosthetic fractures treated with either ORIF or DFR was conducted. Surgical complications, discharge disposition, ambulatory status, living situation at 1 year, and mortality at 1 year were compared between patients treated with ORIF and DFR. Outcomes at 1 year were also compared between patients older and younger than 85 years of age. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients with a mean age of 80 years (range, 61-95 years) met inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up was 29.5 months (range, 5-81 months). Patients undergoing DFR were significantly older than those who underwent ORIF (83 vs 78, P < .01). The 1-year mortality rate was 20.6%. There was no difference between groups with respect to mortality, complications, discharge disposition, or ambulatory status and living situation at 1 year. Patients who lost the ability to ambulate at 1 year were significantly older than patients who maintained the ability to ambulate (87.5 vs 76.4 years, P < .05). Patients older than 85 years were more likely to lose the ability to ambulate and to live in a skilled nursing facility at 1 year (P < .01). CONCLUSION: Distal femoral periprosthetic fractures have a high morbidity and mortality. Age at time of injury, not treatment rendered, is predictive of ambulatory status and living independence after periprosthetic distal femur fractures.

Survival and Functional Outcomes after Hip Fracture among Nursing Home Residents.

Following the implementation of a long-term care insurance system for the elderly in Korea, many nursing homes have been established and many more patients than ever before have been living at nursing homes. Despite the fact that this is a high-risk group vulnerable to hip fractures, no study has yet been conducted in Korea on hip fracture incidence rates and prognoses among patients residing at nursing homes. We recently studied 46 cases of hip fracture in nursing homes; more specifically, we investigated the most common conditions under which fractures occur, and examined the degree of recovery of ambulatory ability and the mortality within 1 yr. Among those who had survived after 1 yr, the number of non-functional ambulators increased from 8 hips before hip fracture to 19 hips at final post-fracture follow-up. These individuals showed poor recovery of ambulatory ability, and the number who died within one year was 11 (23.9%), a rate not significantly different from that among community-dwelling individuals. It was evident that hip-joint-fracture nursing home residents survived for similar periods of time as did those dwelling in the community, though under much more uncomfortable conditions. The main highlight of this report is that it is the first from Korea on nursing home residents' ambulatory recovery and one-year mortality after hip fracture. The authors believe that, beginning with the present study, the government should collect and evaluate the number of hips fractured at nursing facilities in order to formulate criteria that will help to enable all patients to select safer and better-quality nursing facilities for themselves or their family members.

Ambulatory Status Protects against Venous Thromboembolism in Acute Mild Ischemic Stroke Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Ischemic stroke patients are at high risk (up to 18%) for venous thromboembolism. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study to understand the predictors of acute postmild ischemic stroke patient's ambulatory status and its relationship with venous thromboembolism, hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality. METHODS: We identified 522 patients between February 2006 and May 2014 and collected data about patient demographics, admission NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale), venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, ambulatory status, diagnosis of venous thromboembolism, and hospital outcomes (length of stay, mortality). Chi-square test, t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and binary logistic regression were used for statistical analysis as appropriate. RESULTS: A total of 61 (11.7%), 48 (9.2%), and 23 (4.4%) mild ischemic stroke patients developed venous thromboembolism, deep venous thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism, respectively. During hospitalization, 281 (53.8%) patients were ambulatory. Independent predictors of in-hospital ambulation were being married (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.10-2.49), being nonreligious (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.34-3.62), admission NIHSS (per unit decrease in NIHSS; OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.39-1.91), and nonuse of mechanical venous thromboembolism prophylaxis (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.02-2.61). After adjusting for confounders, ambulatory patients had lower rates of venous thromboembolism (OR .47, 95% CI .25-.89), deep venous thrombosis (OR .36, 95% CI .17-.73), prolonged length of hospital stay (OR .24, 95% CI .16-.37), and mortality (OR .43, 95% CI .21-.84). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that for hospitalized acute mild ischemic stroke patients, ambulatory status is an independent predictor of venous thromboembolism (specifically deep venous thrombosis), hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality.

Long-term quality of life and functional outcomes after management of spinal epidural abscess.

BACKGROUND/CONTEXT: In recent years, the incidence of spinal epidural abscesses (SEA) has tripled in number and nonoperative management has risen in popularity. While there has been a shift towards reserving surgical intervention for patients with focal neurologic deficits, a third of patients will still fail medical management and require surgical intervention. Failure to understand long-term quality of life and functional outcomes hinders effective decision making and prognostication. PURPOSE: To describe patterns and associated factors impacting long-term quality of life following treatment of spinal epidural abscess. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Multicenter cohort study at two urban academic tertiary referral centers and two community centers. PATIENT SAMPLE: Adult patients treated for a spinal epidural abscess. OUTCOME MEASURES: EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5L (EQ5D), Neuro-Quality of Life Lower Extremity - Mobility (Short Form; NeuroQoL-LE), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function (short form 4a; PROMIS PF), and PROMIS Global Mental Health score (PROMIS Mental). METHODS: Eligible patients were enrolled and administered questionnaires. Multivariable analysis assessed the influence of ambulatory status on HRQL, adjusting for covariates including age, biologic sex, Charlson comorbidity index, intravenous drug use, management approach, and ASIA grade on presentation. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were enrolled (mean age 60.5 years, 46% male). Thirty-four patients (58%) underwent operative management. Mean standard deviation (SD) results for HRQL measures were: EQ5D 0.51 (0.37), EQ5D visual analogue scale 60.34 (25.11), NeuroQoL Lower extremity 41.47 (10.64), PROMIS physical function 39.49 (10.07), and PROMIS Global Mental Health 44.23 (10.36). Adjusted analysis demonstrated ambulatory status at presentation, and at 1 year, to be important drivers of HRQL, irrespective of other factors including IVDU and ASIA grade. Patients with independent ambulatory function at 1 year had mean EQ5D utility of 0.65 (95% CI 0.55, 0.75), whereas those requiring assistive devices saw a 49% decrease with mean EQ5D utility of 0.32 (0.14, 0.51). Ambulatory status was associated with global and physical function but did not impact overall health self-assessment or mental health scores. CONCLUSIONS: We found that ambulatory status was the most important factor associated with long-term HRQL regardless of other factors such as ASIA grade or IVDU. Given prior literature demonstrating the protective effect of operative intervention on ambulatory function, this highlights ambulatory dysfunction as a potential indication for surgery and a marker of poor long-term prognosis, even in the absence of focal neurologic deficits. Our work also highlights the importance of optimized long-term rehabilitation strategies aimed to preserve ambulatory function in this high-risk population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, cohort study.

Longitudinal Analysis of PUL 2.0 Domains in Ambulant and Non-Ambulant Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Patients: How do they Change in Relation to Functional Ability?

BACKGROUND: The performance of upper limb 2.0 (PUL) is widely used to assess upper limb function in DMD patients. The aim of the study was to assess 24 month PUL changes in a large cohort of DMD patients and to establish whether domains changes occur more frequently in specific functional subgroups. METHODS: The PUL was performed in 311 patients who had at least one pair of assessments at 24 months, for a total of 808 paired assessments. Ambulant patients were subdivided according to the ability to walk: >350, 250-350, ≤250 meters. Non ambulant patients were subdivided according to the time since they lost ambulation: <1, 1-2, 2-5 or >5 years. RESULTS: At 12 months, the mean PUL 2.0 change on all the paired assessments was -1.30 (-1.51--1.05) for the total score, -0.5 (-0.66--0.39) for the shoulder domain, -0.6 (-0.74--0.5) for the elbow domain and -0.1 (-0.20--0.06) for the distal domain.At 24 months, the mean PUL 2.0 change on all the paired assessments was -2.9 (-3.29--2.60) for the total score, -1.30 (-1.47--1.09) for the shoulder domain, -1.30 (-1.45--1.11) for the elbow domain and -0.4 (-1.48--1.29) for the distal domain.Changes at 12 and 24 months were statistically significant between subgroups with different functional abilities for the total score and each domain (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There were different patterns of changes among the functional subgroups in the individual domains. The time of transition, including the year before and after loss of ambulation, show the peak of negative changes in PUL total scores that reflect not only loss of shoulder but also of elbow activities. These results suggest that patterns of changes should be considered at the time of designing clinical trials.

A Novel Strategy to Manage Below-Knee-Amputation (BKA) Stump Complications for Early Wound Healing and BKA Salvage.

INTRODUCTION: The optimal management of major stump complications (operative infection or dehiscence) following below-knee-amputation (BKA) is unknown. We evaluated a novel operative strategy to aggressively treat major stump complications hypothesizing it would improve our rate of BKA salvage. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients requiring operative intervention for BKA stump complications between 2015 and 2021. A novel strategy employing staged operative debridement for source control, negative pressure wound therapy, and reformalization was compared to standard care (less structured operative source control or above knee amputation). RESULTS: 32 patients were studied, 29 of which were male (90.6%) with an average age of 56.1 ± 9.6 y. 30 (93.8%) had diabetes and 11 (34.4%) peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The novel strategy was used in 13 patients and 19 had standard care. Novel strategy patients had higher BKA salvage rates, 100% vs 73.7% (P = .064), and postoperative ambulatory status, 84.6% vs 57.9% (P = .141). Importantly, none of the patients undergoing the novel therapy had PAD, while all progressing to above-knee amputation (AKA) did. To better assess the efficacy of the novel technique, patients progressing to AKA were excluded. Patients undergoing novel therapy who had their BKA level salvaged (n = 13) were compared to usual care (n = 14). The novel therapy's time to prosthetic referral was 72.8 ± 53.7 days vs 247 ± 121.6 days (P < .001), but they did undergo more operations (4.3 ± 2.0 vs 1.9 ± 1.1, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Utilization of a novel operative strategy for BKA stump complications is effective in salvaging BKAs, particularly for patients without PAD.

An Algorithm to Classify Real-World Ambulatory Status From a Wearable Device Using Multimodal and Demographically Diverse Data: Validation Study.

BACKGROUND: Measuring the amount of physical activity and its patterns using wearable sensor technology in real-world settings can provide critical insights into health status. OBJECTIVE: This study's aim was to develop and evaluate the analytical validity and transdemographic generalizability of an algorithm that classifies binary ambulatory status (yes or no) on the accelerometer signal from wrist-worn biometric monitoring technology. METHODS: Biometric monitoring technology algorithm validation traditionally relies on large numbers of self-reported labels or on periods of high-resolution monitoring with reference devices. We used both methods on data collected from 2 distinct studies for algorithm training and testing, one with precise ground-truth labels from a reference device (n=75) and the second with participant-reported ground-truth labels from a more diverse, larger sample (n=1691); in total, we collected data from 16.7 million 10-second epochs. We trained a neural network on a combined data set and measured performance in multiple held-out testing data sets, overall and in demographically stratified subgroups. RESULTS: The algorithm was accurate at classifying ambulatory status in 10-second epochs (area under the curve 0.938; 95% CI 0.921-0.958) and on daily aggregate metrics (daily mean absolute percentage error 18%; 95% CI 15%-20%) without significant performance differences across subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Our algorithm can accurately classify ambulatory status with a wrist-worn device in real-world settings with generalizability across demographic subgroups. The validated algorithm can effectively quantify users' walking activity and help researchers gain insights on users' health status.

Risk Factors for Poor Outcome after Palliative Surgery for Metastatic Spinal Tumors.

Palliative surgery is performed to improve the quality of life of patients with spinal metastases. However, it is sometimes difficult to achieve the expected results because the patient's condition, and risk factors related to poor outcomes have not been well elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes and investigate the risk factors for poor outcomes after palliative surgery for spinal metastasis. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 117 consecutive patients who underwent palliative surgery for spinal metastases. Neurological and ambulatory statuses were evaluated pre- and post-operatively. Poor outcomes were defined as no improvement or deterioration in functional status or early mortality, and the related risk factors were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The results showed neurological improvement in 48% and ambulatory improvement in 70% of the patients with preoperative impairment, whereas 18% of the patients showed poor outcomes. In the multivariate analysis, low hemoglobin levels and low revised Tokuhashi scores were identified as risk factors for poor outcomes. The present results suggest that anemia and low revised Tokuhashi scores are related not only to life expectancy but also to functional recovery after surgery. Treatment options should be carefully selected for the patients with these factors.

Ambulatory Status Over Time after Revascularization in Patients with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia.

AIM: Maintaining functional status through revascularization is a major goal in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). Nevertheless, there is a lack of clarity on the impact of revascularization on mobility over time. This study examined ambulatory status over time after revascularization and predictors of ambulation loss in CLTI patients. METHODS: We used a clinical database established by the Surgical reconstruction versus Peripheral INtervention in pAtients with critical limb isCHemia study, a prospective, multicentre, observational study including patients with CLTI. The primary endpoint was mobility over time. RESULTS: Of the 381 patients, the ambulatory proportion at baseline was 71%. The proportion gradually decreased, finally reaching 40% at 36 months. In non-ambulatory patients at revasacularisation, approximately 20-40% of patients achieved ambulation. Multivariate analysis confirmed that age, impaired mobility before CLTI onset and at revascularization, renal failure on dialysis, and WIfI clinical stage 4 were positively associated with ambulation loss at either specific or all time points, whereas male sex and surgical reconstruction were inversely associated with the outcomes at specific time points. CONCLUSION: Mobility in the overall population gradually decreased, whereas the number of deceased patients increased. Advanced age, impaired mobility before CLTI onset and at revascularization, renal failure on dialysis, and WIfI stage 4 were associated with ambulation loss at almost all points after revascularization.

A New Clinical Instrument for Estimating the Ambulatory Status after Irradiation for Malignant Spinal Cord Compression.

Estimating post-treatment ambulatory status can improve treatment personalization of patients irradiated for malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC). A new clinical score was developed from data of 283 patients treated with radiotherapy alone in prospective trials. Radiotherapy regimen, age, gender, tumor type, interval from tumor diagnosis to MSCC, number of affected vertebrae, other bone metastases, visceral metastases, time developing motor deficits, ambulatory status, performance score, sensory deficits, and sphincter dysfunction were evaluated. For factors with prognostic relevance in the multivariable logistic regression model after backward stepwise variable selection, scoring points were calculated (post-radiotherapy ambulatory rate in % divided by 10) and added for each patient. Four factors (primary tumor type, sensory deficits, sphincter dysfunction, ambulatory status) were used for the instrument that includes three prognostic groups (17-21, 22-31, and 32-37 points). Post-radiotherapy ambulatory rates were 10%, 65%, and 97%, respectively, and 2-year local control rates were 100%, 75%, and 88%, respectively. Positive predictive values to predict ambulatory and non-ambulatory status were 97% and 90% using the new score, and 98% and 79% using the previous instrument. The new score appeared more precise in predicting non-ambulatory status. Since patients with 32-37 points had high post-radiotherapy ambulatory and local control rates, they may not require surgery.