Clinical and radiological predictors for persistent complaints five years after a lateral ankle sprain: A long-term follow-up study in primary care.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the five-year prognosis and potential prognostic factors of patients with an acute lateral ankle sprain in primary care setting. DESIGN: Observational study. METHODS: 206 patients who participated in a cross-sectional study and visited their general practitioner with an acute lateral ankle sprain 6-12 months prior to inclusion were approached for a 5-year follow-up measurement consisting of an online questionnaire. At baseline patients completed standardized questionnaires, underwent a standardized physical examination and radiological examination (radiography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and scored their perceived recovery. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine potential predictive factors at baseline for the presence of persistent complaints after 5 years. RESULTS: 132 (64.1%) patients completed the 5-year follow-up. 18.2% reported persistent complaints and 30.3% had a re-sprain during follow-up. Baseline persistent complaints 6-12 months after an acute lateral ankle sprain (OR 6.38; CI 95% 1.54-26.44), dominant leg injury (OR 4.89; CI 95% 1.16-20.62) and a recurrent ankle sprain (OR 9.81; CI 95% 2.17-44.47) were significant predictors for persistent complaints 5 years after an acute ankle sprain. Physical examination and radiological findings did not add to the predictive value of the prognostic model. CONCLUSIONS: Almost 20% of patients with an acute lateral ankle sprain experience persistent complaints after 5 years follow-up. Predictive factors for persistent complaints can be identified.

Magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities after lateral ankle trauma in injured and contralateral ankles.

PURPOSE: To compare the prevalence of abnormal MRI findings associated with lateral ankle trauma in injured and contralateral ankles to identify lesions that may be pre-existent. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was approved by the institutional review board and informed consent was obtained from all subjects. 195 patients (mean age 37.5+14.7 years; 43% male) who visited their general practitioner 6-12 months earlier with an ankle sprain were selected. All patients completed a standardized questionnaire and underwent MRI (1.5T) of both ankles. Structural MRI abnormalities in the injured and contralateral ankle were compared using the McNemar test (for paired samples). RESULTS: Bone marrow edema was frequently seen in the injured and contralateral ankle at the talocrural joint (25.1% versus 14.8%) and subtalar joint (24.6% versus 8.7%), but significantly more frequently in the injured ankle. Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) lesions were frequently found in both ankles, in 55.9% and 37.4% of injured ankles respectively and in 17.9% and 5.6% of contralateral ankles respectively. Fractures, anterior and posterior tibiofibular ligament lesions, deltoid ligament lesions and signs of talonavicular osteoarthritis were almost exclusively found in injured ankles. Peroneal ligament lesions were not frequently found in both ankles. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of structural MRI abnormalities in patients presenting with a previous ankle sprain in primary care is very high. However, especially bone marrow edema and lateral ligament lesions can also be found in a substantial percentage of contralateral ankles and may be either pre-existent or due to increased stress on the contralateral ankle after an ankle injury Correlation with clinical findings is essential.

Structural abnormalities and persistent complaints after an ankle sprain are not associated: an observational case control study in primary care.

BACKGROUND: Persistent complaints are very common after a lateral ankle sprain. AIM: To investigate possible associations between structural abnormalities on radiography and MRI, and persistent complaints after a lateral ankle sprain. DESIGN AND SETTING: Observational case control study on primary care patients in general practice. METHOD: Patients were selected who had visited their GP with an ankle sprain 6-12 months before the study; all received a standardised questionnaire, underwent a physical examination, and radiography and MRI of the ankle. Patients with and without persistent complaints were compared regarding structural abnormalities found on radiography and MRI; analyses were adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index. RESULTS: Of the 206 included patients, 98 had persistent complaints and 108 did not. No significant differences were found in structural abnormalities between patients with and without persistent complaints. In both groups, however, many structural abnormalities were found on radiography in the talocrural joint (47.2% osteophytes and 45.1% osteoarthritis) and the talonavicular joint (36.5% sclerosis). On MRI, a high prevalence was found of bone oedema (33.8%) and osteophytes (39.5) in the talocrural joint; osteophytes (54.4%), sclerosis (47.2%), and osteoarthritis (55.4%, Kellgren and Lawrence grade >1) in the talonavicular joint, as well as ligament damage (16.4%) in the anterior talofibular ligament. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of structural abnormalities is high on radiography and MRI in patients presenting in general practice with a previous ankle sprain. There is no difference in structural abnormalities, however, between patients with and without persistent complaints. Using imaging only will not lead to diagnosis of the explicit reason for the persistent complaint.

Reduced neonatal lung function and wheezing illnesses during the first 5 years of life.

Studies of reduced neonatal lung function and wheezing illnesses during childhood show conflicting results. The aim of our study was to assess the association between resistance (Rrs) and compliance (Crs) of the respiratory system by using the single occlusion technique (SOT) and prospectively collected wheezing illnesses during the first 5 years of life in a large birth cohort. SOT was performed during natural sleep before the age of 2 months. Information about wheezing illnesses was collected from the electronic patient file. 549 infants had a successful SOT measurement and complete medical records. Every kPa·L(-1)·s(-1) increase in Rrs was associated with 10% more consultations in the first 3 years of life. Every 10 mL·kPa(-1) increase in Crs was associated with a 14% reduction in consultations in the first 3 years of life, 27% in the fourth to fifth years of life, and a lower probability of having asthma at the age of 5 years (OR 0.66). Children with late-onset or persistent wheezing had significant lower Crs values than their peers. An increased neonatal resistance is associated with more wheezing illnesses during infancy, while a reduced neonatal compliance is associated with more wheezing illnesses during the first 5 years of life, a late-onset or persistent wheezing phenotype, and asthma.

Early life lung function and respiratory outcome in the first year of life.

Abnormal early life lung function is related to wheezing in childhood; however, data on the association with cough are not available. We determined the relationship between early life lung function and wheeze and cough during the first year of life, adjusted for other possible risk factors. Infants were participants of the Wheezing Illnesses Study Leidsche Rijn (WHISTLER). Lung function measurements were performed before the age of 2 months. Information on pre- and perinatal factors, general characteristics and anthropometrics were assessed by questionnaires. Follow-up data on respiratory symptoms were assessed by daily questionnaires. 836 infants had valid lung function measurements and complete follow-up data for respiratory symptoms at 1 yr of age. Multivariable Poisson analysis showed that higher values of respiratory resistance (R(rs)) and time constant (τ(rs)) were associated with an increased risk for wheeze and cough during the first year of life. Higher values of respiratory compliance (C(rs)) were associated with a decreased risk for wheeze and cough. R(rs), C(rs) and τ(rs) measured shortly after birth were independently associated with wheeze and cough during the first year of life. As the strength of the relationships were different for wheeze and cough, they should be used as two separate entities.

Respiratory symptoms in young infancy: child, parent and physician related determinants of drug prescription in primary care.

PURPOSE: Respiratory symptoms account for the majority of drug prescriptions in the first year of life. We investigated the influence of child, parent and physician factors on drug prescriptions for respiratory symptoms in primary care in infancy. METHODS: Infants participated in the WHeezing Illnesses STudy LEidsche Rijn (WHISTLER), a prospective birth cohort on respiratory illnesses. Outcome was defined as having received a prescription of antibiotics or of anti-asthma medication for respiratory symptoms by a physician. RESULTS: Nearly 60% of all children ever visited a physician for respiratory symptoms during the first year of life, of which 40% received a prescription. Every extra day with symptoms during the month before consultation and each extra visit to a physician were associated with a higher chance for prescription (respectively odds ratios (OR) 1.07/2.63, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.02-1.12/1.83-3.76). Further, we found a higher chance for drug prescribing for boys (2.7, 2.0-3.7), children attending day care (1.17, 1.09-1.25), mothers with higher education (2.3, 1.2-4.6), working mothers (4.5, 0.9-22.0) and older mothers (years) (1.09, 1.02-1.16). Furthermore, physicians' years of experience was a determinant for receiving a prescription (2.5, 1.1-6.0). Accounting for symptoms and visits as strong predictors of prescribing, infant gender and day care attendance were still predictors. Furthermore, infant gender, day care attendance, family history of asthma and physicians' years of experience were independent determinants of the number of prescriptions besides symptoms and visits. CONCLUSION: In young infancy, besides the severity of symptoms there are child, physician and particularly maternal characteristics that influence the decision of general practitioners to prescribe drugs for respiratory symptoms.

Early cardiac abnormalities in obese children: importance of obesity per se versus associated cardiovascular risk factors.

We investigated whether obese children and adolescents have early echocardiographic signs of subclinical cardiac dysfunction and evaluated the respective influence of obesity per se versus parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism that are frequently abnormal in obese subjects. The role of tissue Doppler imaging as a screening tool for these abnormalities was explored. Blood pressure and echocardiographic parameters, including tissue Doppler measurements of the septal mitral annulus were evaluated in 49 obese children and adolescents and 45 age and sex matched controls. The respective influence of obesity versus parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism was examined with linear regression analysis. Obese subjects showed significantly larger left ventricular wall dimensions (posterior wall, septum, and left ventricular mass index) and signs of early diastolic filling abnormalities on conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography compared with nonobese subjects. Multiple regression analysis showed that mainly BMI-SD scores and/or body surface area explained significant proportions of the variance of the early cardiac abnormalities. In conclusion, young, obese children and adolescents have significant changes in left ventricular wall dimensions and early diastolic filling compared with nonobese subjects. Obesity per se and not the parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism predicted the early cardiac abnormalities.

Tobacco smoke exposure of pregnant mothers and blood pressure in their newborns: results from the wheezing illnesses study Leidsche Rijn birth cohort.

There is evidence to suggest that exposure of pregnant women to tobacco smoke is related to higher childhood blood pressure in their offspring. It is not well known whether this association is set in utero or by shared postnatal environments. The objective of this study was to assess the association between tobacco smoke exposure of pregnant mothers and blood pressure and heart rate of their newborns. In an unselected birth cohort, blood pressure and heart rate were measured in 456 infants at approximately 2 months of age. Smoking exposure of mothers in pregnancy was obtained by questionnaire. Of 456 mothers whose infants had blood pressure measured, 363 (79.6%) were not exposed to tobacco smoke in pregnancy, 63 (13.8%) did not smoke in pregnancy but were exposed by others, and 30 (6.6%) smoked. Infant offspring of mothers who had smoked during pregnancy had 5.4 mm Hg (95% CI: 1.2 to 9.7; P=0.01) higher systolic blood pressure levels than offspring of mothers who were not exposed to tobacco smoke in pregnancy, taking account of birth weight, infant age, gender, nutrition, and age of mother. No associations were found between maternal exposure to tobacco smoke in pregnancy and diastolic blood pressure. A positive association between maternal exposure to tobacco smoke and heart rate was largely explained by confounding. It can be concluded that maternal exposure to tobacco smoke in pregnancy has a substantial increasing effect on systolic blood pressure in early infancy.

Determinants of health care utilization for respiratory symptoms in the first year of life.

OBJECTIVE: Health care utilization for respiratory symptoms is very common in infancy. Little is known about the determinants of visiting a physician for such complaints in infants. We investigated which factors determine the likelihood of visiting a physician for respiratory symptoms in the first year of life of their offspring. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Infants were participants of the ongoing Wheezing Illnesses Study Leidsche Rijn (WHISTLER), a prospective birth cohort study on respiratory illnesses. Parental reports on respiratory symptoms and possible risk factors were assessed by daily questionnaires. Physician diagnosed respiratory symptoms were classified in medical records using the International Classification of Primary Care. Outcome was defined as a having a child visit a general practitioner for respiratory symptoms in the first year of life. Logistic regression was used to study the likelihood of outcome (yes/no) as a function of putative predictors. RESULTS: Forty-seven percent of the infants visited a physician for respiratory symptoms in the first year of life. Every extra week of respiratory symptoms was associated with a 4.3% higher chance (odds ratio [OR], 1.043; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.022-1.065) of visiting a physician. Furthermore, the chance was higher in boys (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.1), children attending day care (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-3.0), children with nonwhite mothers (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.2), and children whose mother had supplementary health care insurance (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.7). Findings were similar within the subgroup of children with serious respiratory symptoms (>median: 46 d/yr), but in that group parental age over 30 also determined physician visits (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.6-8.9). CONCLUSIONS: Child and parent characteristics, besides complaints per se, play an important role in health care utilization for respiratory illnesses in infancy.

The influence of maternal respiratory infections during pregnancy on infant lung function.

INTRODUCTION: We studied whether maternal respiratory infections during pregnancy adversely influence lung growth and development of the offspring, resulting in poor early life lung function. METHODS: Infants were participants of the Wheezing Illnesses Study Leidsche Rijn (WHISTLER). Lung function measurements (single occlusion technique) were performed during natural sleep. Questionnaire data were used to obtain information on maternal respiratory infections during pregnancy. Multivariate analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between maternal respiratory infections during pregnancy and resistance and compliance of the respiratory system, adjusting for potential confounding variables. RESULTS: Lower values of compliance (Crs) were found in infants of mothers with respiratory infections during pregnancy; Crs fell by 5.5% (P = 0.031). The difference in Crs between infants of mothers with and without respiratory infections during pregnancy remained unchanged and statistically significant after adjusting for potential confounding variables. The more respiratory infections the mother experienced during pregnancy, the lower the value of Crs was in her offspring (P for trend = 0.016). Using Crs corrected for body weight the relationship with maternal infections was non-significant, however still showing a trend. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study may indicate that mothers who experience respiratory infections during pregnancy have newborns with lower compliance of the respiratory system.