The classification of scoliosis braces developed by SOSORT with SRS, ISPO, and POSNA and approved by ESPRM.

PURPOSE: Studies have shown that bracing is an effective treatment for patients with idiopathic scoliosis. According to the current classification, almost all braces fall in the thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO) category. Consequently, the generalization of scientific results is either impossible or misleading. This study aims to produce a classification of the brace types. METHODS: Four scientific societies (SOSORT, SRS, ISPO, and POSNA) invited all their members to be part of the study. Six level 1 experts developed the initial classifications. At a consensus meeting with 26 other experts and societies' officials, thematic analysis and general discussion allowed to define the classification (minimum 80% agreement). The classification was applied to the braces published in the literature and officially approved by the 4 scientific societies and by ESPRM. RESULTS: The classification is based on the following classificatory items: anatomy (CTLSO, TLSO, LSO), rigidity (very rigid, rigid, elastic), primary corrective plane (frontal, sagittal, transverse, frontal & sagittal, frontal & transverse, sagittal & transverse, three-dimensional), construction-valves (monocot, bivalve, multisegmented), construction-closure (dorsal, lateral, ventral), and primary action (bending, detorsion, elongation, movement, push-up, three points). The experts developed a definition for each item and were able to classify the 15 published braces into nine groups. CONCLUSION: The classification is based on the best current expertise (the lowest level of evidence). Experts recognize that this is the first edition and will change with future understanding and research. The broad application of this classification could have value for brace research, education, clinical practice, and growth in this field.

Trends in duration of hospitalization for patients with tuberculosis in Montreal, Canada from 1993 to 2007.

OBJECTIVE: To study the trend of hospital stays for patients diagnosed with pulmonary TB in Montreal from 1993 to 2007. METHODS: From the registry of hospital discharge summary information, we selected first hospitalizations for patients with a diagnosis of TB, and from the reportable diseases registry, patients with culture positive pulmonary TB. We linked the selected cases, using the first 3 characters of postal code of residence, sex and age. From the linked cases, we included those for whom date of patient's admission to hospital (from the former registry) was similar to the date of notification to the public health department (from the latter registry), while allowing for an appropriate variation. RESULTS: Among the 563 linked cases, the median duration of hospitalization was 17.0 days. Duration of hospitalization did not significantly decrease during the study period. Cases with positive sputum smear were more likely to stay in hospital > or = 14 days compared to those without one (OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.34-2.70). TB cases > or = 50 years of age remained in hospital longer than those between 18-49 years of age (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.15-2.40). CONCLUSION: For 63.9% (360) of the cases studied, the duration of hospitalization was > or = 14 days, which is consistent with the minimum recommended hospital stay for patients with pulmonary TB in Canada. Further studies are necessary to examine the impact of discharging hospitalized TB patients before 14 days of hospital stay on the risk of TB transmission in the community.