Blood cytokine pattern and clinical outcome in knee arthroplasty patients: comparative analysis 5 years after standard versus "hypoallergenic" surface coated prosthesis implantation.

Background and purpose - Metal sensitivity might provoke complications after arthroplasty. Correspondingly, coated "hypoallergenic" implants are of interest but long-term follow-up data are missing. Thus, we assessed immunological and clinical parameters in such patients. Patients and methods - 5 years' follow-up data were obtained from 3 centers, which used either a standard total knee replacement (TKR) or the identical implant with multilayer surface zirconium nitride based coating. Of the 196 patients (mean age 68 years (44-84), 110 females) 97 had arthroplasty with a coated surface, and 99 were treated by a standard TKR of the same type. Investigations were Knee Society Score (KSS), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), radiographic analysis, and cytokine measurement in peripheral blood. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated by cytometric beads assay and RT-PCR. Results - Survival rate (Kaplan-Meier) was 98% for coated and 97% for uncoated implants after 5 years. Mechanical axis and KSS pain score (42 vs. 41 (0-50)) were comparable. Most serum cytokine levels were comparable, but mean interleukin-8 and interleukin-10 levels were higher in the group with an uncoated implant. IL-8: 37 (SD 7.5) pg/mL vs. 1.1 (SD 4.3) (p < 0.001); IL-10: 3.6 (SD 2.5) vs. 0.3 (SD 1.8) pg/mL (p < 0.001). Interpretation - There was similar clinical outcome 5 years after standard and surface-coated TKR. In peripheral blood there was an increased pro-inflammatory status, i.e., significant elevation of IL-8 and the anti-inflammatory IL-10, after standard uncoated prosthesis. Any long-term effects of these cytokine changes are unknown.

Retrospective 5-Year Analysis of Revision Rate and Functional Outcome of TKA With and Without Patella Implant.

The aim of this study was to compare a patient cohort after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in terms of the revision rate and the functional outcome, with and without patella resurfacing. Sixty-six patients (71 TKAs) were implanted with the mobile-bearing knee prosthesis system e.motion UC (Aesculap AG, Tuttlingen, Germany). These patients were divided into 2 groups, 1 of which received primary patella resurfacing (PPR; 51 TKAs) and 1 of which did not (non-PPR; 20 TKAs), with an average follow-up of 65.6 months (±6.9). The cohort was recorded consecutively. The evaluation was performed using the Knee Society Score and selected questions relating to the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, as well as with radiographs. Results showed that PPR was no better than non-PPR in terms of functional outcome. Two knees (10%) were revised in the non-PPR group, and 1 knee (1.96%) in the PPR group (not significant). In this cohort, 100% of implants, including the 5 TKAs of patients who did not attend the follow-up examination, had neither explanted nor loosened at the time of follow-up examination. The authors concluded that the revision rate for PPR is slightly lower, and this avoids the need for secondary patella resurfacing. The risk for complications is low, and the functional outcome is comparable. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(3):S31-S35.].

Frequency of blood glucose testing in well educated patients with diabetes mellitus type 1: how often is enough?

AIMS: Self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) and knowledge of insulin requirements are pivotal for good metabolic control in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1. However, the SMBG-frequency needed for optimal glycaemic control especially in well educated patients is unclear. METHODS: In patients with type 1 diabetes treated with flexible intensified insulin therapy, we evaluated HbA1c values and the directly preceding computerised SMBG-frequencies over a 12 months period. To estimate the association between HbA1c and SMBG-frequency, we fitted a piecewise linear spline model with a change in slope at 4 SMBGs per day which is the recommended minimal SMBG-frequency at our institution. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients were available for analysis, with a median baseline HbA1c of 7.1% (interquartile range 6.6, 7.8). In the multivariable analysis (adjusted for gender and psychological problems), each additional SMBG measurement was associated with an estimated difference in HbA1c of -0.19% (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.42, 0.05) for ≤4 SMBGs per day and of -0.02% (95% CI -0.10, 0.06) for >4 SMBGs per day. CONCLUSIONS: Good diabetes control can be achieved in routine diabetes care with flexible intensified insulin therapy based on continuing patients' education and with a minimum of 4 SMBGs per day.