Kidney dysfunction, systemic inflammation and mental well-being in elderly post-myocardial infarction patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to investigate whether mild kidney dysfunction and low-grade inflammation in post-myocardial infarction patients are independently associated with markers of mental well-being (i.e. depressive and apathy symptoms, and dispositional optimism). METHODS: In post-myocardial infarction patients, kidney function was assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated from the combined CKD-EPI formula based on serum levels of both creatinine and cystatine C. Systemic inflammation was assessed using high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. The 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), the 3-item apathy subscale and the 4-item optimism questionnaire (4Q) were used to measure mental well-being and were analyzed using linear multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 2355 patients, mean age was 72.3 (range 63-84) years and 80.1% were men. After multivariable adjustment, a poorer kidney function was associated with more depressive symptoms (ß = -0.084, p < 0.001), more apathy symptoms (ß = -0.101, p < 0.001), and less dispositional optimism (ß = 0.072, p = 0.002). Moreover, higher levels of hs-CRP were associated with more depressive symptoms (ß = 0.051, p = 0.013), more apathy symptoms (ß = 0.083, p < 0.001) and less dispositional optimism (ß = -0.047 p = 0.024). Apathy showed the strongest independent relation with both low eGFR and high hs-CRP. CONCLUSIONS: In post-myocardial infarction patients, impaired kidney function and systemic inflammation showed a stronger association with apathy than with depressive symptoms and dispositional optimism.

Diagnosis and treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip in the Netherlands: national questionnaire of paediatric orthopaedic surgeons on current practice in children less than 1 year old.

PURPOSE: There is no consensus in the literature regarding the diagnosis and treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). We designed a national questionnaire to assess the various opinions and current practice of paediatric orthopaedic surgeons in the Netherlands regarding the diagnosis and treatment of DDH in children less than 1 year old. METHODS: The questionnaire was sent to all members of the Dutch Paediatric Orthopaedic Society (DPOS). It discusses different methods and criteria used in the diagnosis of DDH, the use of different therapies and the use of different imaging techniques to evaluate the result of treatment. RESULTS: With 38 responders, the overall response rate to the survey was 67%. Most surgeons use clinical, radiographic and/or ultrasound examination for the diagnosis. The starting point of treatment is usually on the mild part of the DDH spectrum. The Pavlik harness is most popular in the treatment of dislocated hips, whereas in dysplastic hips, most surgeons use a rigid splint. The duration of treatment has a wide range and evaluation of the effect of treatment is predominantly done by radiography. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis and treatment of DDH in the Netherlands has as much diversity as the literature has recommendations about this subject. The lack of consensus on many aspects of DDH diagnosis and treatment should form the basis for a discussion among Dutch paediatric orthopaedic surgeons. Using the available evidence, it should be possible to formulate a more uniform protocol for the diagnosis and treatment of DDH.