Evaluation for clinical benefit of metformin in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a national claims-based cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive lung disease with high morbidity and limited treatment options. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common comorbid illness among patients with IPF and is often treated with metformin, the first-line agent in the management of T2DM. There is growing evidence demonstrating metformin's anti-fibrotic properties; however, there is little real-world clinical data regarding its potential effectiveness in IPF. This study aims to evaluate the clinical benefit of metformin in patients with IPF and T2DM. METHODS: This nationwide cohort study used de-identified administrative claims data from OptumLabs® Data Warehouse to identify 3599 adults with IPF and concomitant T2DM between January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2019. Two cohorts were created: a cohort treated with metformin (n = 1377) and a cohort not treated with metformin (n = 2222). A final 1:1 propensity score-matched cohort compared 1100 patients with IPF and T2DM receiving metformin to those with both diagnoses but not receiving metformin; matching accounted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, residence region, year, medications, oxygen use, smoking status, healthcare use, and comorbidities. Outcomes were all-cause mortality (primary) and hospitalizations (secondary). RESULTS: Among 2200 patients with IPF and T2DM included in this matched analysis, metformin therapy was associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36-0.58; p < 0.001) and hospitalizations (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.72-0.93; p = 0.003) compared to patients not receiving metformin. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with IPF and T2DM, metformin therapy may be associated with improved clinical outcomes. However, further investigation with randomized clinical trials is necessary prior to metformin's broad implementation in the clinical management of IPF.

Dynamic Assessment of Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome Hips.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to compare lower extremity rotational kinematics and kinetics (angles, torques, and powers) and hip muscle electromyography (EMG) activity between cam-type femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) and age- and sex-matched controls during walking, fast walking, stair ascent, stair descent, and sit-to-stand. METHODS: This study included 10 males with unilateral FAIS and 10 control males with no FAIS. We measured kinematics, kinetics, and electromyographic signals during stair ascent/descent, sit-to-stand, self-selected walk, and fast walk. Peak signal differences between groups were compared with independent t-tests with statistical significance when P < .05. RESULTS: FAIS hips showed significant differences compared to controls, including increased hip flexion during walking (+4.9°, P = .048) and stair ascent (+7.8°, P =.003); diminished trunk rotation during stair ascent (-3.4°; P = .015), increased knee flexion during self-selected walking (+5.1°, P = .009), stair ascent (+7.4°, P = .001), and descent (+5.3°, P = .038); and increased knee valgus during fast walking (+4.7°, P = .038). gMed and MedHam showed significantly decreased activation in FAIS during walking (gMed: -12.9%, P = .002; MedHam: -7.4%, P = .028) and stair ascent (gMed: -16.7%, P = .036; MedHam: -13.0%, P = .041); decreased gMed activation during sit-to-stand (-8.8%, P = .004) and decreased MedHam activation during stair descent (-8.0%, P = .039). CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional motion analysis and EMG evaluation of functional kinematics and kinetics in subjects with symptomatic unilateral cam-type FAIS across a spectrum of provocative tasks demonstrated significant differences compared to controls in hip flexion, trunk rotation, knee flexion, and valgus. FAIS hips had significantly decreased gMed and MedHam activity. These findings may explain altered torso-pelvic, hip, and knee mechanics in FAIS patients and suggest that evaluation of FAIS should include the patient's hip, knee, and torso-pelvic relationships and muscle function. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The clinical and functional manifestation of FAIS hip pathomechanics is not entirely understood, and previous literature to date has not clearly described the alterations in gait and functional movements seen in patients with cam-type FAIS. The current study used 3D motion analysis and EMG evaluation of functional kinematics and kinetics to identify a number of differences between FAIS and control hips, which help us better understand the lower extremity kinematics and kinetics and muscle activation in FAIS.

Efficacy of a multidisciplinary care protocol for the treatment of operated hip fracture patients.

To assess the effects of a multidisciplinary care protocol on cost, length of hospital stay (LOS), and mortality in hip-fracture-operated patients over 65 years. Prospective cohort study between 2011 and 2017. The unexposed group comprised patients who did not receive care according to the multidisciplinary protocol, while the exposed group did. Variables analyzed were demographics, medical comorbidities, treatment, blood parameters, surgical delay, LOS, re-admissions, mortality, and a composite outcome considering in-hospital mortality and/or LOS > 10 days. We performed a Poisson regression and cost analysis. The cohort included 681 patients: 310 unexposed and 371, exposed. The exposed group showed a shorter surgical delay (3.0 vs. 3.6 days; p < 0.001), and a higher proportion received surgery within 48 h (46.1% vs. 34.2%, p = 0.002). They also showed lower rates of 30-day readmission (9.4% vs. 15.8%, p = 0.012), 30-day mortality (4.9% vs. 9.4%, p = 0.021), in-hospital mortality (3.5% vs. 7.7%; p = 0.015), and LOS (8.4 vs. 9.1 days, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed a protective effect of the protocol on the composite outcome (risk ratio 0.62, 95% CI 0.48-0.80, p < 0.001). Hospital costs were reduced by EUR 112,153.3. A multidisciplinary shared care protocol was associated with a reduction in the LOS, surgical delay, 30-day readmissions, and in-hospital and 30-day mortality, in hip-fracture-operated patients.

Quantitative Assessment of Femoral Head Perfusion Following Arthroscopic Femoral Osteochondroplasty: A Cadaveric Study.

BACKGROUND: Disruption of the arterial supply to the femoral head, and subsequent development of femoral head osteonecrosis, is of serious concern with intracapsular hip procedures. However, the effect of arthroscopic femoral osteochondroplasty on femoral head perfusion is unknown. We aimed to quantify the effects of both standard and posterosuperior extension of arthroscopic femoral osteochondroplasty on femoral head vascularity. We hypothesized that extension of the superior resection zone posteriorly would negatively affect femoral head perfusion. METHODS: In 12 cadaveric pelvic specimens, we cannulated the medial femoral circumflex artery (MFCA). One hip per pelvis was randomly selected to be in 1 of 2 experimental groups based on the superior extent of the osteochondroplasty: standard resection (resection anterior to the 12 o'clock [0° of 360°] position) or extended resection (resection extended posterior to the 12 o'clock position). Computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained prior to and following arthroscopic resection to delineate the resection margins. Gadolinium enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was quantified in the femoral head by volumetric analysis using custom software. A polyurethane compound was injected and gross dissection of the vasculature was performed. RESULTS: Extension of the osteochondroplasty posteriorly (the extended-resection group), to a mean of 41.3° (range, 34° to 47°) posterior to the 12 o'clock position, decreased femoral head perfusion by a mean of 28% (range, 18% to 38%). The standard-resection group demonstrated a mean decrease in femoral head perfusion of 7% (range, 4% to 11%). Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant negative correlation (correlation coefficient, -0.877; p < 0.001; R = 0.747). For every 1° that the superior resection margin extended posteriorly, a corresponding 0.88% decrease in femoral head perfusion was found. CONCLUSIONS: Femoral head perfusion is almost fully maintained with arthroscopic osteochondroplasty when the superior resection margin is anterior to the 12 o'clock position. Perfusion is also well maintained if the superior resection margin is extended no more than 10° posterior to 12 o'clock. Further posterior extension correlated with greater decreases in femoral head perfusion. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our study provides previously unreported quantitative MRI data on femoral head perfusion following arthroscopic femoral osteochondroplasty for the treatment of cam-type femoroacetabular impingement.

Assessment of range of motion and contact zones with commonly performed physical exam manoeuvers for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI): what do these tests mean?

Recognition of the magnitude and location of mechanical conflicts is critical to reliably and reproducibly improve functional range of motion and outcomes after surgical treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). The purpose of this study was to assess the ROM and location of intra-articular and extra-articular mechanical conflict with seven commonly performed physical exam manoeuvers in a cohort of hips with symptomatic FAI. Internal rotation in flexion results in mechanical contact between the anterolateral and anterior femoral head-neck junction with the acetabulum, most commonly at a 1:15 o'clock position. Associated adduction, however, significantly reduces the available internal rotation secondary to contact in the same locations. Straight abduction results in mechanical conflict between the superior femoral head-neck junction and the 12:00 o'clock position of the acetabulum. With external rotation of the hip in various degrees of hip flexion, the potential mechanical impingement is extra-articular between the greater trochanter and ischium or pubic ramus. The zones of proximal femoral and acetabular contact are not intuitive, and may extend significantly more laterally and distally on the femoral head-neck junction than previously appreciated.

Sports hip injuries: assessment and management.

Over the past 10 years, the understanding, assessment, and management of hip pain and injuries in the athlete have improved. Traditionally, the evaluation of hip pain and injuries was limited to obvious disorders, such as hip arthritis and fractures, or disorders that were previously considered to be simply soft-tissue strains and contusions, such as groin pulls, hip pointers, and bursitis. Two parallel tracks of progress have improved understanding of the complexities of hip joint athletic injuries and the biomechanical basis of early hip disease. In the field of sports medicine, improved diagnostic skills now allow better interpretation of debilitating intra-articular hip disorders and their effects on core performance. In the field of hip preservation, there has been an evolution in understanding the effects of biomechanical mismatches between the femoral head and the acetabulum on the development of early hip damage, injury, and arthritis. The integration of these two parallel fields has accelerated the understanding of the importance of hip biomechanics and early hip injury in human performance and function.

The safe zone for hip arthroscopy: a cadaveric assessment of central, peripheral, and lateral compartment portal placement.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated 11 arthroscopic portals (4 central, 4 peripheral, and 3 peritrochanteric) with regard to their proximity to neurovascular structures and the extra-articular path taken before entering their intended compartments. METHODS: We established 11 standard portals in 10 cadaveric hips, under arthroscopic and fluoroscopic visualization, using 3/16-inch Steinmann pins. Each hip was dissected, and the relation of the pins to the pertinent anatomy was recorded to the nearest 1 mm. RESULTS: Only 2 of the 11 portals, the anterior and midanterior portals, came within 2 cm of a neurovascular structure before entering their respective compartments. The anterior portal placed the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve at risk, lying at a mean of 15.4 mm (range, 1 to 28 mm) away. The midanterior portal lies a mean of 19.2 mm (range, 5 to 42 mm) from the ascending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. In addition, a small terminal branch of this artery courses a mean of 14.7 mm (range, 2 to 33 mm) and 10.1 mm (range, 1 to 23 mm) from the anterior portal and midanterior portal, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that 11 arthroscopic portals can be safely inserted into the central, peripheral, and peritrochanteric compartments of the hip. The midanterior and anterior portals pass in close proximity to a small terminal branch of the ascending lateral circumflex femoral artery. The greatest risk still comes from the proximity of the anterior portal to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. However, a slightly more lateral location seems to provide substantial benefits. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study investigated 11 arthroscopic hip portals inserted in a standardized fashion. This knowledge should help surgeons place the necessary portals both safely and accurately.