HERMES-24 Score Derivation and Validation for Simple and Robust Outcome Prediction After Large Vessel Occlusion Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Clinicians need simple and highly predictive prognostic scores to assist practical decision-making. We aimed to develop a simple outcome prediction score applied 24 hours after anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke treatment with endovascular thrombectomy and validate it in patients treated both with and without endovascular thrombectomy. METHODS: Using the HERMES (Highly Effective Reperfusion Evaluated in Multiple Endovascular Stroke Trials) collaboration data set (n=1764), patients in the endovascular thrombectomy arm were divided randomly into a derivation cohort (n=430) and a validation cohort (n=441). From a set of candidate predictors, logistic regression modeling using forward variable selection was used to select a model that was both parsimonious and highly predictive for modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤2 at 90 days. The score was validated in validation cohort, control arm (n=893), and external validation cohorts from the ESCAPE-NA1 (Efficacy and Safety of Nerinetide for the Treatment of Acute Ischaemic Stroke; n=1066) and INTERRSeCT (Identifying New Approaches to Optimize Thrombus Characterization for Predicting Early Recanalization and Reperfusion With IV Alteplase and Other Treatments Using Serial CT Angiography; n=614). RESULTS: In the derivation cohort, we selected 2 significant predictors of mRS ≤2 (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at 24 hours and age [ß-coefficient, 0.34 and 0.06]) and derived the HERMES-24 score: age (years)/10+National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at 24 hours. The HERMES-24 score was highly predictive for mRS ≤2 (c-statistic 0.907 [95% CI, 0.879-0.935]) in the derivation cohort. In the validation cohort and the control arm, the HERMES-24 score predicts mRS ≤2 (c-statistic, 0.914 [95% CI, 0.886-0.944] and 0.909 [95% CI, 0.887-0.930]). Observed provability of mRS ≤2 ranged between 3.1% and 3.4% when HERMES-24 score ≥25, while it ranged between 90.6% and 93.0% when HERMES-24 score <10 in the derivation cohort, validation cohort, and control arm. The HERMES-24 score also showed c-statistics of 0.894 and 0.889 for mRS ≤2 in the ESCAPE-NA1 and INTERRSeCT populations. CONCLUSIONS: The post-treatment HERMES-24 score is a simple validated score that predicts a 3-month outcome after anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke regardless of intervention, which helps prognostic discussion with families on day 2.

What Is a Meaningful Difference When Using Infarct Volume as the Primary Outcome?: Results From the HERMES Database.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke lesion volume at follow-up is an important surrogate outcome for acute stroke trials. We aimed to assess which differences in 48-hour lesion volume translate into meaningful clinical differences. METHODS: We used pooled data from 7 trials investigating the efficacy of endovascular treatment for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion in acute ischemic stroke. We assessed 48-hour lesion volume follow-up computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The primary outcome was a good functional outcome, defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores of 0 to 2. We performed multivariable logistic regression to predict the probability of achieving mRS scores of 0 to 2 and determined the differences in 48-hour lesion volume that correspond to a change of 1%, 5%, and 10% in the adjusted probability of achieving mRS scores of 0 to 2. RESULTS: In total, 1665/1766 (94.2%) patients (median age, 68 [interquartile range, 57-76] years, 781 [46.9%] female) had information on follow-up ischemic lesion volume. Computed tomography was used for follow-up imaging in 83% of patients. The median 48-hour lesion volume was 41 (interquartile range, 14-120) mL. We observed a linear relationship between 48-hour lesion volume and mRS scores of 0 to 2 for adjusted probabilities between 65% and 20%/volumes <80 mL, although the curve sloped off for lower mRS scores of 0-2 probabilities/higher volumes. The median differences in 48-hour lesion volume associated with a 1%, 5%, and 10% increase in the probability of mRS scores of 0 to 2 for volumes <80 mL were 2 (interquartile range, 2-3), 10 (9-11), and 20 (18-23) mL, respectively. We found comparable associations when assessing computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging separately. CONCLUSIONS: A difference of 2, 10, and 20 mL in 48-hour lesion volume, respectively, is associated with a 1%, 5%, and 10% absolute increase in the probability of achieving good functional outcome. These results can inform the design of future stroke trials that use 48-hour lesion volume as the primary outcome.

Role of dietary intake and physical activity in reducing weight social inequalities among adolescents: an application of G-formula to PRALIMAP-INÈS trial.

Interventions aiming to reduce social inequalities of weight status in adolescents usually focus on lifestyle behaviours, but their effectiveness is limited. This study analysed the effect of achieving levels of dietary intake (DI) and/or physical activity (PA) guidelines on reducing social inequalities in weight status among adolescents. We included adolescents from the PRomotion de l'ALIMentation et de l'Activité Physique - INÉgalité de Santé (PRALIMAP-INÈS) trial with weight status data available at baseline and 1-year follow-up (n 1130). PA and DI were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and a validated FFQ, respectively. We estimated the likelihood of a 1-year reduction in BMI z-score (BMIz) and population risk difference (PRD) under hypothetical DI and PA levels and socio-economic status using the parametric G-formula. When advantaged and less advantaged adolescents maintained their baseline DI and PA, we found social inequalities in weight status, with a PRD of a 1-year reduction in BMIz of -1·6 % (-3·0 %, -0·5 %). These inequalities were not observed when less advantaged adolescents increased their proportion of achieving DI guidelines by 30 % (PRD = 2·2 % (-0·5 %, 5·0 %)) unlike the same increase in PA (PRD = -3·9 % (-6·8 %, -1·3 %)). Finally, social inequalities of weight status were not observed when levels of achievement of both PA and DI guidelines increased by 30 % (PRD = 2·2 % (-0·5 %, 4·0 %)). Enhancing DI rather than PA could be effective in reducing social inequalities in weight status among adolescents. Future interventions aiming to reduce these inequalities should mostly target DI to be effective.

An effort to improve the collection of patient-generated data: readability and understandability of patient-reported outcomes measures in a survivorship cohort.

PURPOSE: In this study, we evaluated readability and understandability of nine French-language Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) that are currently used in a contemporary longitudinal cohort of breast cancer survivors as part of an effort to improve equity in cancer care and research. METHODS: Readability of PROMs was assessed using the Flesh Reading Ease Score (FRES), the Gunning's Fog Index (FOG), and the FRY graphics. Readability was considered ideal if mean score ≤ 6th-grade level and acceptable if between 6th and 8th grade. Understandability was evaluated using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool and defined as ideal if PEMAT ≥ 80%. The Evaluative Linguistic Framework for Questionnaires (ELF-Q) provided additional qualitative elements to assess understandability. Plain-language best practice was met if both readability and understandability were ideal. RESULTS: None of the 9 PROMs evaluated had ideal readability scores and only 1 had an acceptable score. Understandability ranged from 55% to 91%, and only 3 PROMs had ideal scores. ELF-Q identified points for improvement in several understandability dimensions of the PROMs. None of the instruments met the definition of plain-language best practice. CONCLUSION: None of the studied PROMs met the standards of readability and understandability. Future development and translation of PROMs should follow comprehensive linguistic and cultural frameworks to ensure plain-language standards and enhance equitable patient-centered care and research.

Collating the voice of people with autoimmune diseases: Methodology for the Third Phase of the COVAD Studies.

INTRODUCTION: The growing recognition of holistic patient care highlights the various factors shaping the quality of life of individuals with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases (AIRDs). Beyond the traditional disease measures, there is an emerging acknowledgment of the less-explored aspects, including subjective well-being, social determinants of health, comorbidities, mental health, and medication adherence. Moreover, digital health services have empowered patients to engage actively in decision-making alongside clinicians. To explore these domains within the context of AIRDs, the "Collating the Voice of People with Autoimmune Diseases" COVAD survey was conceived, a successor of the previous two COVAD surveys. In this document, we present the study protocol in comprehensive detail. METHODS: The COVAD-3 survey is a cross-sectional patient self-reported e-survey incorporating multiple widely accepted scales/scores to assess various aspects of patients' lifestyles objectively. To ensure the survey's accuracy and usability across diverse regions, it will be translated into multiple languages and subjected to rigorous vetting and pilot testing. It will be distributed by collaborators via online platforms and data will be collected from patients with AIRDs, and healthy individuals over eight months. Data analysis will focus on outcome measures related to various social, demographic, economic, and psychological factors. CONCLUSION: With the increasing awareness to adopt a holistic treatment approach encompassing all avenues of life, the COVAD-3 survey aims to gain valuable insights into the impact of social, demographic, economic, and psychological determinants of health on the subjective well-being in patients with AIRDs, which will contribute to a better understanding of their overall health and well-being.

Quality-of-life measures and their psychometric properties used in African chronic kidney disease populations: a systematic review using COSMIN methodology.

BACKGROUND: If any benefit is to be derived from the use of the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaires in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, they should be validated and culturally adapted to the target population. We aimed to critically appraise the psychometric properties of HRQoL questionnaires used in African populations with CKD. METHODS: Web of Science, Embase, PubMed and PsycINFO databases were searched. Psychometric validation studies of HRQoL questionnaires reporting at least one psychometric property of the COSMIN checklist in CKD African population, published up to October 16, 2023 were included and independently assessed for methodological quality and level of measurement properties by using the COSMIN methodology. RESULTS: From 1163 articles, 5 full-text were included. Only the Kidney Disease Quality-of-Life questionnaire was translated and cross-culturally adapted for studies of patients with CKD. Internal consistency was of doubtful quality in 4 studies and very good in 1. Its measurement was sufficient in 1 study and insufficient in 4. Test-retest reliability was of doubtful quality in 4 studies. Its measurement was sufficient in 3 studies and insufficient in 1. Structural validity was of inadequate quality in 1 study and very good quality in 1. Its measurement was sufficient in both. Construct validity was of inadequate quality in all studies. Their measurement was insufficient in 4 studies and sufficient in 1. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlighted that only one HRQoL questionnaire used in studies of African populations with CKD underwent a small number of cultural adaptations and psychometric validations, generally of poor methodological quality. HRQoL validation studies in African CKD populations are needed to better take advantage of the benefits in patient care, population health management, and research.

Health promotion expectations and perceptions of sport club participants.

To develop health promotion (HP) in sports clubs (SCs), stakeholders need to know the HP expectations of sports participants. However, the literature does not provide information on these aspects, which exacerbates the difficulty for SCs to provide an environment, activities and organization that promote health and to play the role entrusted to them in the integration of vulnerable populations. To fill this gap, this study explores the HP expectations and perceptions of sports participants, with a particular focus on ethnocultural characteristics, and documents participants' understanding of HP. A descriptive qualitative study comprising semi-structured interviews was carried out with 22 French and Quebec sports participants. Because they have little experience with HP in their SC, participants do not seem to have many expectations of their SC in terms of HP. Nevertheless, they felt that SCs can play an important role in health and suggested several themes and types of action, such as seminars on nutrition, activities outside the SC to develop cohesion or health monitoring. Sports participants from ethnocultural minorities seem to appreciate the programs designed to integrate them. There is a predominantly physical conception of health and the contribution of SCs to health, and the relationship between the types of health determinants (economic, environmental, organizational and social) and health is not clear. This study shows that the idea of a health-promoting SC appeals to SC participants, but this approach has not yet taken root in this setting or in society as a whole.

Pilot study of a health promotion intervention in sports clubs / Étude pilote d'une intervention de promotion de la santé au sein de clubs de sport.

Sports clubs (SCs) are an ideal setting for promoting health. However existing health promotion (HP) interventions in SCs mainly target a single health behavior and men who do sports, and evaluations of such interventions provides little information about their deployment. To overcome these limitations, the PROSCeSS intervention was co-constructed based on the theoretical model of the health-promoting SC and multi-level, multi-determinant health strategies. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the deployment of the PROSCeSS intervention and identify the factors influencing its deployment. A qualitative study, using recordings of meetings, email and telephone exchanges, and interviews with project leaders of fourteen SC, was carried out. Although a low number of SCs had completed the intervention, they all considered that they have a role to play in helping their members maintain good health. Their ability to develop HP activities and to implement the intervention was influenced by the resources available, the support they received from their sports federation, and the ability of each project leader to get involved in the intervention. The SCs that deployed the intervention implemented several strategies enabling them to integrate health into the organizational, social, economic, and environmental habits of the SCs and to develop new HP activities, such as adapted sports activity sessions and activities to teach members about first aid, nutrition, and good practices for warming up. This study highlights the importance of understanding the specificities of the contexts in which HP interventions are deployed. Having led to a reworking of the intervention steps and the development of an appropriate evaluation design, it also highlights the essential role of pilot studies in the development and evaluation of interventions.

Le club de sport (CS) est un milieu de vie privilégié pour promouvoir la santé. Cependant, les interventions de promotion de la santé (PS) existantes dans les CS ciblent majoritairement un seul comportement de santé et des pratiquants sportifs masculins, et leurs évaluations renseignent peu leurs déploiements. Pour dépasser ces limites, l'intervention PROSCeSS a été co-construite à partir du modèle théorique du CS promoteur de santé et de stratégies multi-niveaux et multi-déterminants de santé. L'objectif de cette étude pilote était d'évaluer le déploiement de l'intervention PROSCeSS et d'identifier les facteurs influençant son déploiement. Une étude qualitative comprenant des enregistrements de réunions, des échanges par e-mails et par téléphone, et des entretiens avec les référents de 14 CS a été réalisée. Même si le nombre de CS qui sont allés au bout de l'intervention est faible, ceux-ci considèrent qu'ils ont un rôle à jouer dans la santé de leurs membres. Leur capacité à développer des activités de PS et à déployer les étapes de l'intervention est influencée par les ressources disponibles, le soutien qu'ils reçoivent de leur fédération sportive et la capacité d'un porteur de projet (référent) à s'impliquer. Les CS qui ont déployé l'intervention ont mis en place plusieurs stratégies qui leur permettent d'intégrer la santé dans les habitudes organisationnelles, sociales, économiques et environnementales du CS et de développer de nouvelles activités de PS, telles que des sessions d'activités sportives adaptées et des activités de sensibilisation à l'échauffement, à l'alimentation et aux gestes de premier secours. Cette étude montre qu'il est important de comprendre les spécificités des contextes dans lesquels les interventions de PS sont déployées. Parce qu'elle a conduit à retravailler les étapes de l'intervention et à développer un nouveau design d'évaluation, elle met en évidence le rôle essentiel des études pilotes pour le développement et l'évaluation des interventions.

2021 EULAR recommendations regarding lifestyle behaviours and work participation to prevent progression of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.

OBJECTIVES: A European League Against Rheumatism taskforce was convened to review the literature and develop recommendations on lifestyle behaviours for rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). METHODS: Six lifestyle exposures (exercise, diet, weight, alcohol, smoking, work participation) and seven RMDs (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, gout) were considered. The taskforce included health professionals in rheumatology, geriatricians, epidemiologists, public health experts, people with RMDs and exposure domain experts. Systematic reviews were conducted to gather available evidence, from which recommendations were developed. RESULTS: Five overarching principles and 18 specific recommendations were defined based on available evidence. The overarching principles define the importance of a healthy lifestyle, how lifestyle modifications should be implemented, and their role in relation to medical treatments. Exercise recommendations highlight the safety and benefits of exercise on pain and disability, particularly among people with osteoarthritis and axial spondyloarthritis. The diet recommendations emphasise the importance of a healthy, balanced diet for people with RMDs. People with RMDs and health professionals should work together to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Small amounts of alcohol are unlikely to negatively affect the outcomes of people with RMDs, although people with rheumatoid arthritis and gout may be at risk of flares after moderate alcohol consumption. Smokers should be supported to quit. Work participation may have benefits on RMD outcomes and should be discussed in consultations. CONCLUSIONS: These recommendations cover a range of lifestyle behaviours and can guide shared decision making between people with RMDs and health professionals when developing and monitoring treatment plans.

Machine learning identifies a profile of inadequate responder to methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Around 30% of patients with RA have an inadequate response to MTX. We aimed to use routine clinical and biological data to build machine learning models predicting EULAR inadequate response to MTX and to identify simple predictive biomarkers. METHODS: Models were trained on RA patients fulfilling the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria from the ESPOIR and Leiden EAC cohorts to predict the EULAR response at 9 months (± 6 months). Several models were compared on the training set using the AUROC. The best model was evaluated on an external validation cohort (tREACH). The model's predictions were explained using Shapley values to extract a biomarker of inadequate response. RESULTS: We included 493 therapeutic sequences from ESPOIR, 239 from EAC and 138 from tREACH. The model selected DAS28, Lymphocytes, Creatininemia, Leucocytes, AST, ALT, swollen joint count and corticosteroid co-treatment as predictors. The model reached an AUROC of 0.72 [95% CI (0.63, 0.80)] on the external validation set, where 70% of patients were responders to MTX. Patients predicted as inadequate responders had only 38% [95% CI (20%, 58%)] chance to respond and using the algorithm to decide to initiate MTX would decrease inadequate-response rate from 30% to 23% [95% CI: (17%, 29%)]. A biomarker was identified in patients with moderate or high activity (DAS28 > 3.2): patients with a lymphocyte count superior to 2000 cells/mm3 are significantly less likely to respond. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the usefulness of machine learning in unveiling subgroups of inadequate responders to MTX to guide new therapeutic strategies. Further work is needed to validate this approach.

Clinical significance of a self-reported familial occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis among patients with recent-onset arthritis: data from the ESPOIR cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To assess, in patients with recent-onset arthritis, whether a self-reported familial occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with a clinical presentation of the disease, final diagnosis, long-term outcome and treatment decisions. METHODS: The study was conducted from data of patients included between 2002 and 2005 in the early arthritis ESPOIR cohort. Patients were recruited on the basis of having at least two swollen joints for >6 weeks and <6 months, no other diagnosis than RA and no previous exposure to glucocorticoids or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Patients were stratified into two groups according to the presence of a self-reported familial occurrence of RA at baseline. Data concerning final diagnosis (2-year visit), long-term outcome (5-year visit) and therapeutic decisions were compared between the 2 groups of patients, using logistic and Cox regression models. RESULTS: At baseline, 115 patients (14.1%) reported a familial occurrence of RA and showed, as compared with the remaining participants, higher prevalence of extra articular manifestations (EAMs) (51.8% vs. 39.6%, p=0.01) and severe EAMs (7.9% vs. 3.1%, p 0.01). Both unadjusted (hazard ratio, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.1-2.21; p = 0.01) and adjusted analysis (hazard ratio, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.06-2.15; p=0.02) identified a higher probability for the initiation of a targeted DMARD over time among patients with a self-reported familial occurrence of RA. CONCLUSIONS: In the specific context of early arthritis, a self-reported familial occurrence of RA is associated with the future decision to initiate a targeted DMARD.

Suitability of the animated activity questionnaire for use as computer adaptive test: establishing the AAQ-CAT.

PURPOSE: The animated activity questionnaire (AAQ) is a computer-based measure of activity limitations. To answer a question, patients choose the animation of a person performing an activity that matches their own level of limitation. The AAQ has not yet been tested for suitability to be applied as computer-adaptive test (CAT). Thus, the objective of this study was to develop and evaluate an AAQ-based CAT to facilitate the application of the AAQ in daily clinical care. METHODS: Patients (n = 1408) with hip/knee osteoarthritis from Brazil, Denmark, France, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and the UK responded to all 17 AAQ items. Assumptions of item-response theory (IRT) modelling were investigated. To establish item parameters for the CAT, a graded response model was estimated. To evaluate the performance of post-hoc simulated AAQ-based CATs, precision, test length, and construct validity (correlations with well-established measures of activity limitations) were evaluated. RESULTS: Unidimensionality (CFI = 0.95), measurement invariance (R2-change < 2%), and IRT item fit (S-X2 p > .003) of the AAQ were supported. Performing simulated CATs, the mean test length was more than halved (≤ 8 items), while the range of precise measurement (standard error ≤ 0.3) was comparable to the full AAQ. The correlations between original AAQ scores and three AAQ-CAT versions were ≥ 0.95. Correlations of AAQ-CAT scores with patient-reported and performance measures of activity limitations were ≥ 0.60. CONCLUSION: The almost non-verbal AAQ-CAT is an innovative and efficient tool in patients with hip/knee osteoarthritis from various countries, measuring activity limitations with lower respondent burden, but similar precision and construct validity compared to the full AAQ.

Short version of the Inventory of Parental Representations, a self-report for attachment assessment among adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The Inventory of Parental Representations (IPR), a self-administered questionnaire, was developed primarily to identify styles of attachment in adolescence. However, it did not present stable psychometric properties in the various American studies carried out. The aim of this study was to adapt the IPR in French and to provide a shorter version with improved psychometric properties and sound content. METHODS: The cross-cultural adaptation and content validity were carried out based on qualitative analysis by an Expert Committee and 10 non-clinical adolescents. For the quantitative analyses a cohort of 535 adolescent volunteers was enrolled, corresponding to 1070 responses, and divided into two groups: development and validation. The study of the metric properties of the adapted version of the IPR was realized in the development group, a sample of 275 responses. In case of mediocre results in the Confirmatory Factor Analysis, the development of a new and reduced IPR structure was planned using a mixed method including Classical Test Theory and Rasch Modelling in the development group. Subsequently, the study of the psychometric properties of the short, adapted version was confirmed in an independent sample of 795 responses (validation group). RESULTS: Out of 62 items translated, 13 needed adaptations. The analysis of their metric properties produced mediocre results. Content and psychometric property analyses generated two Short version of the IPR in the development group: a paternal scale for Fathers (Short IPRF) with 15 items and a maternal scale for Mothers (Short IPRM) with 16 items. The sound content and good psychometric properties were confirmed in the validation group (Short IPRF: Comparative Fit Index = 0.987, Tucker-Lewis Index = 0.982, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.027; Short IPRM: Comparative Fit Index = 0.953, Trucker-Lewis Index = 0.927, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.068). Using Rasch modelling, the attachment was correctly measured overall especially for insecure attachment. CONCLUSIONS: A step-by-step process involving led to the generation of two questionnaires: a paternal scale, the Short IPRF, and a maternal scale with the Short IPRM providing opportunities to use this self-questionnaire to assess attachment among adolescents. Further work will provide a solid rating for this new tool.

Behavioural risk patterns in adolescents with excess weight participating in the PRALIMAP-INÈS trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate clustering of risk behaviours in adolescents with excess weight. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the PRALIMAP-INÈS trial. Information on food frequency consumption (fruit, vegetables, sugary products and beverages), physical activity, sedentary behaviour (week and weekend days), smoking and alcohol consumption (current frequency and intoxication episodes) and socio-demographic data was collected using self-reported questionnaires. Behavioural risk factors were entered as categorical variables in a two-step clustering procedure: multiple correspondence analysis followed by hierarchical clustering. Associations between cluster membership and socio-demographic variables were investigated using multivariable multinomial logistic regression. SETTING: French PRALIMAP-INÈS trial. PARTICIPANTS: Adolescents with excess weight. RESULTS: A total of 1391 participants (13-18 years old, 58·2 % female) were included in the analysis, which resulted in the identification of four groups of participants, including, respectively, 543 (39·0 %), 373 (26·8 %), 246 (17·7 %) and 229 (16·5 %) participants. Clusters 1 and 4 showed associations of rather healthy behaviours (high physical activity and low consumption of sugary products; high consumption of fruit and vegetables, respectively), while clusters 2 and 3 showed associations of rather unhealthy behaviours (high sedentary behaviour and low consumption of fruit and vegetables; smoking and alcohol consumption, respectively). Both social status and family structure were associated with cluster membership. CONCLUSIONS: Risk behaviour patterns in adolescents with excess weight were clustered in both healthier and less healthy ways, with a complex interplay with socio-demographic factors.

A RE-AIM framework analysis of a sports club health promotion MOOC: the PROSCeSS MOOC.

Acquisition of health promotion (HP) skills and knowledge is essential for interventions development in this field. In sports clubs (SC), little HP training exists even though it was requested by SC actors. In response, the PROSCeSS (PROmotion de la Santé au sein du Clubs SportifS) MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) was developed to support actors of HP in the SC in the development of HP interventions. The present study evaluates the MOOC's effectiveness and learning process. The RE-AIM framework, measuring reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance was used to structure this study. Surveys were sent before and after the MOOC to the 2814 learners. Among the 502 (18%) respondents to the pre-survey, 80% reported belonging to a SC as a coach (35%) or manager (25%). The 14% of pre-survey respondents who completed the post-survey increased their HP knowledge score by 42% and their confidence to implement HP actions by 6%. Results present the strategies considered most important and feasible by the learners and the main barriers to the implementation of HP actions in the SC. This study shows that MOOC appears to be an appealing (93% of learners were satisfied) and effective solution (as long as it is followed) to develop HP knowledge and skills of SC actors in HP, meeting their needs and constraints. Although improvements should be made (especially in terms of promoting adoption), this type of educational format should be encouraged to support the HP potential of SC.

The Association between Oxytocin and Lower Limb Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Oxytocin (OT), a neuropeptide best known for its role in emotional and social behaviors, has been linked to osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to investigate the serum OT level in hip and/or knee OA patients and to study its association with disease progression. Patients from the KHOALA cohort with symptomatic hip and/or knee OA (Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) scores of 2 and 3) and follow-up at 5 years were included in this analysis. The primary endpoint was structural radiological progression, which was defined as an increase of at least one KL point at 5 years. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations between OT levels and KL progression while controlling for gender, age, BMI, diabetes and leptin levels. Data from 174 hip OA patients and 332 knee OA patients were analyzed independently. No differences in OT levels were found between the 'progressors' and 'non-progressors' groups among the hip OA patients and knee OA patients, respectively. No statistically significant associations were found between the OT levels at baseline and KL progression at 5 years, the KL score at baseline or the clinical outcomes. Higher structural damage at baseline and severe structural progression of hip and knee osteoarthritis did not appear to be associated with a low serum OT level at baseline.

Thrombectomy With and Without Computed Tomography Perfusion Imaging in the Early Time Window: A Pooled Analysis of Patient-Level Data.

BACKGROUND: The optimal imaging paradigm for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) patient selection in early time window (0-6 hours) treated acute ischemic stroke patients remains uncertain. We aimed to compare post-EVT outcomes between patients who underwent prerandomization basic (noncontrast computed tomography [CT], CT angiography only) versus additional advanced imaging (computed tomography perfusion [CTP] imaging) and to determine the association of performance of prerandomization CTP imaging with clinical outcomes. METHODS: The HERMES collaboration (Highly Effective Reperfusion Evaluated in Multiple Endovascular Stroke Trials) pooled patient-level data from randomized controlled trials comparing EVT with usual care for acute ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. Good functional outcome, defined as modified Rankin Scale score 0 to 2 at 90 days, was compared between randomized patients with and without CTP baseline imaging. Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association of baseline CTP imaging and good functional outcome. RESULTS: We analyzed 1348 patients 610 (45.3%) of whom underwent CTP prerandomization. The benefit of EVT compared with best medical management was maintained irrespective of the baseline imaging paradigm (90-day modified Rankin Scale score 0-2 in EVT versus control patients: with CTP: 46.0% (137/298) versus 28.9% (88/305), without CTP: 44.1% (162/367) versus 27.3% (100/366). Performance of CTP baseline imaging compared with baseline noncontrast CT and CT angiography only yielded similar rates of good outcome (odds ratio, 1.05 [95% CI, 0.82-1.33], adjusted odds ratio, 1.04, [95% CI, 0.80-1.35]). CONCLUSIONS: Rates of good functional outcome were similar among patients in whom CTP was or was not performed, and EVT treatment effect in the 0- to 6-hour time window was similar in patients with and without baseline CTP imaging.

Functional Outcomes of Patients ≥85 Years With Acute Ischemic Stroke Following EVT: A HERMES Substudy.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies have shown endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke to be effective in the elderly, despite resulting in poorer outcomes and higher rates of mortality compared with younger patients. Randomized data on the effect of advanced age on outcomes following EVT are, however, lacking. Our aim was to assess the EVT effect for ischemic stroke in patients aged ≥85 years and the influence of age on outcome in a large, randomized trial dataset. METHODS: Data were from the HERMES (Highly Effective Reperfusion Evaluated in Multiple Endovascular Stroke Trials) collaboration, a meta-analysis of 7 randomized trials published between January 1, 2010, and May 31, 2017, that tested the efficacy of EVT. A possible multiplicative interaction effect of age on the relationship between treatment and outcome was investigated. Ordinal logistic regression tested the association between EVT and 90-day functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale, primary outcome) in patients ≥85 years. Multivariable binary logistic regression was performed to compare primary and secondary outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2/5-6) of patients ≥85 years versus those <85 years. RESULTS: We included 1764 patients in the analysis, of whom 77 (4.4%) were ≥85 years old. A significant interaction of age and treatment on poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 5-6, P=0.020) and mortality (P=0.031) was observed, with older adults having worse functional outcomes at 90 days compared with younger patients (adjusted common odds ratio, 0.20 [95% CI, 0.13-0.33]). However, a benefit of EVT was observed in the ≥85-year-old patient subgroup (common odds ratio, 4.20 [95% CI, 1.56-11.32]). Age ≥85 years was not significantly associated with differing rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage or reperfusion (adjusted odds ratio, 1.92 [95% CI, 0.71-5.15] and adjusted odds ratio, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.40-2.06], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients ≥85 years old with independent premorbid function more often achieve good functional outcomes and have lower rates of mortality when treated with EVT compared with conservative management, with an observed treatment effect modification of age on outcome. EVT should therefore not be withheld in this subgroup.

Comparison of Three Scores of Collateral Status for Their Association With Clinical Outcome: The HERMES Collaboration.

BACKGROUND: Leptomeningeal collateral status on baseline computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is associated with clinical outcome after acute ischemic stroke treatment. However, assessment of collateral status is not uniform. To compare 3 different CTA collateral scores (CS) and imaging techniques about their association with clinical outcome. METHODS: Pooled analysis of patient-level data from the Highly Effective Reperfusion Using Multiple Endovascular Devices collaboration. Patients with large vessel occlusion from 7 randomized controlled trials that compared endovascular thrombectomy with standard medical care were included. Three different CS (Tan CS, regional CS [rCS], and regional Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score CS) and 2 imaging techniques (single-phase [sCTA] and multiphase/dynamic CTA) were evaluated. Functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2) at 3 months poststroke was the primary outcome. Furthermore, we assessed the effect of sCTA image acquisition time on collateral status assessment using an adjusted ordinal logistic regression model to obtain predicted values for the trichotomized rCS. RESULTS: Among 1147 pooled patients, 948 (82.7%) had sCTA and 199 (17.3%) multiphase/dynamic CTA as baseline angiography. With all 3 collateral scales, better CSs were associated with better 3-month functional outcome. With sCTA images, the rCS (area under the curve [AUC] 0.63) and regional Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score CS (AUC 0.62) better predicted functional outcome than the Tan CS (AUC 0.60, respectively; P<0.001 and P=0.02). With multiphase/dynamic CTA images, all collateral scales performed similarly in predicting functional outcome (rCS [AUC 0.61]; regional Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score CS [AUC 0.61] versus Tan CS [AUC 0.61], respectively; P=0.93 and P=0.91). Overall, no endovascular thrombectomy treatment effect modification by collateral status (rCS) was demonstrated (P=0.41). sCTA timing independently influenced CS assessment. On earlier timed sCTA, the predicted proportions of scans with poor collaterals was higher and vice versa. CONCLUSIONS: In this data set of highly selected patients with stroke, using a regional CS on sCTA likely allows for the most accurate prediction of functional outcome while on time-resolved CTA, the type of CS did not matter. Patients across all collateral grades benefit from endovascular thrombectomy. sCTA timing independently influenced CS assessment.

Correlation Between Computed Tomography-Based Tissue Net Water Uptake and Volumetric Measures of Cerebral Edema After Reperfusion Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral edema after large hemispheric infarction is associated with poor functional outcome and mortality. Net water uptake (NWU) quantifies the degree of hypoattenuation on unenhanced-computed tomography (CT) and is increasingly used to measure cerebral edema in stroke research. Hemorrhagic transformation and parenchymal contrast staining after thrombectomy may confound NWU measurements. We investigated the correlation of NWU measured postthrombectomy with volumetric markers of cerebral edema and association with functional outcomes. METHODS: In a pooled individual patient level analysis of patients presenting with anterior circulation large hemispheric infarction (core 80-300 mL or Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score ≤5) in the HERMES (Highly Effective Reperfusion Evaluated in Multiple Endovascular Stroke trials) data set, cerebral edema was defined as the volumetric expansion of the ischemic hemisphere expressed as a ratio to the contralateral hemisphere(rHV). NWU and midline-shift were compared with rHV as the reference standard on 24-hour follow-up CT, adjusted for hemorrhagic transformation and the use of thrombectomy. Association between edema markers and day 90 functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale) was assessed using ordinal logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall (n=144), there was no correlation between NWU and rHV (rs=0.055, P=0.51). In sub-group analyses, a weak correlation between NWU with rHV was observed after excluding patients with any degree of hemorrhagic transformation (rs=0.211, P=0.015), which further improved after excluding thrombectomy patients (rs=0.453, P=0.001). Midline-shift correlated strongly with rHV in all sub-group analyses (rs>0.753, P=0.001). Functional outcome at 90 days was negatively associated with rHV (adjusted common odds ratio, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.32-0.65]; P<0.001) and midline-shift (adjusted common odds ratio, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.78-0.92]; P<0.001) but not NWU (adjusted common odds ratio, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.97-1.03]; P=0.84), adjusted for age, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and thrombectomy. Prognostic performance of NWU improved after excluding patients with hemorrhagic transformation and thrombectomy (adjusted odds ratio, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.80-1.02]; P=0.10). CONCLUSIONS: NWU correlated poorly with conventional markers of cerebral edema and was not associated with clinical outcome in the presence of hemorrhagic transformation and thrombectomy. Measuring NWU postthrombectomy requires validation before implementation into clinical research. At present, the use of NWU should be limited to baseline CT, or follow-up CT only in patients without hemorrhagic transformation or treatment with thrombectomy.