Long-term effects of environmental dynamic lighting on sleep-wake rhythm, mood and behaviour in older adults with intellectual disabilities.

BACKGROUND: Sleep-wake problems and depressive symptoms are common in people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) and are thought to be related to the unstable sleep-wake rhythm in this population. Previously, we showed that after increasing environmental light exposure, mid-sleep and sleep onset advanced, and mood improved over a period of 14 weeks after installing environmental dynamic light installations in the living room of people with IDs. We invited participants of that short-term study to take part in the current study on sleep-wake rhythm, mood and behaviour in older adults with IDs 1 year after installing environmental dynamic light installations in the common living rooms of six group homes. METHODS: A pre-post study was performed from October 2017 to February 2019. We included 45 participants (63.5 ± 8.5 years, 67% female) from six group home facilities who provided data at baseline (9, 4 and 1 weeks prior to installing light installations), short term (3, 7 and 14 weeks after installing light installations) and 1 year (54 weeks after installing light installations). Wrist activity was measured with actigraphy (GENEActiv) to derive the primary outcome of interdaily stability of sleep-wake rhythms as well as sleep estimates. Mood was measured with the Anxiety, Depression and Mood Scale. Behaviour was measured with the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist. RESULTS: One year after installing dynamic lighting, we did not find a change in interdaily stability. Total sleep time decreased (ß = -25.40 min; confidence interval: -10.99, -39.82), and sleep onset time was delayed (ß = 25.63 min; confidence interval: 11.18, 40.08). No effect on mood or behaviour was found. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find a change in sleep-wake rhythm, mood or behaviour in older persons with IDs living in care facilities 1 year after installing the light. We did find evidence for a long-term effect on sleep duration and sleep timing. The results have to be interpreted with care as the current study had a limited number of participants. The need for more research on the long-term effects of enhancing environmental light in ID settings is evident.

Feasibility and findings of electrocardiogram recording in older adults with intellectual disabilities: results of the Healthy Ageing and Intellectual Disabilities study.

BACKGROUND: Older adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) have a high risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). At the same time, challenging diagnostic work-up increases the likelihood of underdiagnosis of CVD in this population. To limit this underdiagnosis, it would be beneficial to use objective measures such as the electrocardiogram (ECG). However, little is known about the feasibility of ECG recording and the prevalence of ECG abnormalities in this population. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate the feasibility of resting ECG recording, to study the prevalence of ECG abnormalities, and to compare the frequency of ECG abnormalities with medical records in older adults with ID. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was performed within a cohort of older adults (≥60 years) with ID as part of the Healthy Ageing and Intellectual Disabilities (HA-ID) study. A resting 12-lead ECG was attempted, and the ECG recording was considered feasible if the recording could be made and if the ECG could be interpreted by a cardiologist and the Modular ECG Analysis System (MEANS). ECGs were assessed for the presence of ECG abnormalities and medical record review was performed. If the cardiologist or MEANS concluded that there was evidence of myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation or QTc prolongation on the ECG in the absence of this ECG diagnosis in the participant's medical record, this was classified as a previously undiagnosed ECG diagnosis. RESULTS: ECG recording was feasible in 134 of the 200 participants (67.0%). Of these 134 participants (70.6 ± 5.8 years; 52.2% female), 103 (76.9%) had one or more ECG abnormality, with the most prevalent being prolonged P-wave duration (27.6%), QTc prolongation (18.7%), minor T-wave abnormalities (17.9%), first degree atrioventricular block (12.7%) and myocardial infarction (6.7%). Eight out of 9 (88.9%) myocardial infarctions and all cases of (significant) QTc prolongation (100%) were previously undiagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that ECG recording is feasible in the majority of older adults with ID and revealed a substantial underdiagnosis of ECG abnormalities. These results stress the importance of ECG recording and warrant further research into the yield of opportunistic ECG screening in older adults with ID.

Associations between physical fitness and cardiovascular disease in older adults with intellectual disabilities: Results of the Healthy Ageing and Intellectual Disability study.

BACKGROUND: Reduced physical fitness is a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor in the general population. However, generalising these results to older adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) may be inappropriate given their pre-existing low physical fitness levels and high prevalence of co-morbidities. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the difference in physical fitness between older adults with ID with and without CVD. METHOD: Baseline data of a cohort of older adults with borderline to profound ID (HA-ID study) were used (n = 684; 61.6 ± 8.2 years; 51.3% male). CVD status (coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke) was obtained from medical files. Cardiorespiratory fitness (10-m incremental shuttle walking test), comfortable and fast gait speed (over 5 m distance) and grip strength (hand dynamometer) were measured. Multivariable linear regression models were used to investigate the association between these physical fitness components and the presence of CVD, adjusted for participant characteristics. RESULTS: Of the 684 participants 78 (11.4%) had CVD. Participants with CVD scored lower on cardiorespiratory fitness (-81.4 m, P = 0.002), comfortable gait speed (-0.3 km/h, P = 0.04) and fast gait speed (-1.1 km/h, P = 0.04). No significant differences were found for grip strength (-0.2 kg, P = 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: Older adults with CVD had significantly lower physical fitness levels than those without CVD, except for grip strength. Longitudinal research is needed to investigate causality.

Estimating incidence and prevalence of hip osteoarthritis using electronic health records: a population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and prevalence of hip osteoarthritis (OA) in electronic health records (EHRs) of Dutch general practices by using narrative and codified data. METHOD: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Integrated Primary Care Information database. An algorithm was developed to identify patients with narratively diagnosed hip OA in addition to patients with codified hip OA. Incidence and prevalence estimates among people aged ≥30 were assessed from 2008 to 2019. The association of comorbidities with codified hip OA diagnosis was analysed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Using the hip OA narrative data algorithm (positive predicted value = 72%) in addition to codified hip OA showed a prevalence of 1.76-1.95 times higher and increased from 4.03% in 2008 to 7.34% in 2019. The incidence was 1.83-2.41 times higher and increased from 6.83 to 7.78 per 1000 person-years from 2008 to 2019. Among codified hip OA patients, 39.4% had a previous record of narratively diagnosed hip OA, on average approximately 1.93 years earlier. Hip OA patients with a previous record of spinal OA, knee OA, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia were more likely to be recorded with a hip OA code. CONCLUSION: This study using Dutch EHRs showed that epidemiological estimates of hip OA are likely to be an underestimation. Using our algorithm, narrative data can be added to codified data for more realistic epidemiological estimates based on routine healthcare data. However, developing a valid algorithm remains a challenge, possibly due to the diagnostic complexity of hip pain in general practice.

Associations between biomarkers of matrix metabolism and inflammation with pain and fatigue in participants suspected of early hip and or knee osteoarthritis: data from the CHECK study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the associations of biomarkers in serum [highsensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), serum cartilage oligomeric protein (sCOMP), serum propeptide of type I procollagen (sPINP) and serum osteocalcin (sOC)] and urine [urinary type II collagen telopeptide (uCTX-2)] with the extent and progression of nocturnal pain, pain while walking, and fatigue in participants with hip and/or knee pain suspected to be early stage osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: hs-CRP, uCTX-2, sCOMP, sPINP and sOC were measured at baseline in 1,002 participants of the Cohort Hip and Cohort Knee (CHECK). Nocturnal pain, pain while walking and fatigue were assessed by self-reported questionnaires at baseline and 2-year follow-up. Associations between these biomarkers and symptoms were examined using logistic and linear regression analyses. RESULTS: hs-CRP was significantly associated with mild nocturnal pain (OR 1.18 95% CI 1.01-1.37), with mild and moderate pain while walking (OR 1.17 95% CI 1.01-1.35 and OR 1.56 95% CI 1.29-1.90, respectively) and with progression of nocturnal pain (OR 1.25 95% CI 1.07-1.46). uCTX-2 was associated with mild nocturnal pain (OR 1.40 95% CI 1.05-1.85) and with mild and severe-extreme pain while walking (OR 1.35 95% CI 1.04-1.75 and OR 2.55 95% CI 1.03-6.34, respectively). sPINP was associated with severe-extreme nocturnal pain (OR 0.45 95% CI 0.25-0.82). No significant associations were found for sCOMP and sOC, nor for any of the biomarkers and fatigue. CONCLUSION: This study of biomarkers in a large cohort of participants with hip and/or knee pain suspected to reflect early stage hip and/or knee OA suggests that inflammation and cartilage matrix degeneration play a role in pain, but not in fatigue.

Light up: an intervention study of the effect of environmental dynamic lighting on sleep-wake rhythm, mood and behaviour in older adults with intellectual disabilities.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based interventions to improve the sleep-wake rhythm, mood and behaviour in older adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) are limited. Increasing light exposure has been shown to be effective in improving the sleep-wake rhythm, mood, and behaviour in other populations. The current study investigates the effect of installing environmental dynamic lighting in common living rooms of care facilities on sleep-wake rhythm, mood, and behaviour in older adults with ID. METHODS: A non-randomised, non-concurrent, multiple baseline study was performed from October 2017 to May 2018. Fifty-four participants [mean (SD) age of 63.42 (8.6) years, 65% female] in six care facilities were included. All participants had three baseline measurements (Weeks 1, 5 and 9). Dynamic lighting was installed in Week 10, after which three intervention measurements took place (Weeks 12, 17 and 24). Sleep characteristics and the sleep-wake rhythm were assessed using actigraphy (GENEActiv). Mood was measured with the Anxiety, Depression and Mood Scale (ADAMS) and behaviour with the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (ABC). RESULTS: Mixed-effect regression analysis showed a worsening of the primary outcome interdaily stability (P = 0.001). This could be attributed to one care facility, whereas interdaily stability did not change in the other care facilities (P = 0.74). Dynamic lighting led to earlier mid-sleep (P = 0.003) and sleep onset (P < .0001) and improved mood as indicated by lower scores on the ADAMS depression (-0.64 SD, P < 0.001) and social avoidance (-0.47 SD, P = 0.004) subscales. The prevalence of screening above cut-off for depression decreased from 23 to 9.8% (OR = .16, P = 0.003). For behaviour, a decrease was seen in hyperactivity (-0.43 SD, P < 0.001), lethargy (-0.35 SD, P = 0.008) and irritability (-0.33 SD, P < .001) as measured with the ABC. No adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSION: Installing dynamic lighting in common living areas for older adults with ID improved the mood and behaviour of the residents up to 14 weeks after placement. Integrated dynamic lighting is a promising, undemanding and potentially effective addition to improve mood and behaviour in care organisations for people with ID, but does not seem to do so by improving sleep or sleep-wake rhythms.

Shedding light on light exposure in elderly with intellectual disabilities.

BACKGROUND: Light exposure affects mood and sleep regulation. Sleep problems and mood complaints are common in elderly with intellectual disabilities (ID) living in care facilities. Insufficient light exposure is hypothesised to contribute to the high prevalence of these problems. The current study is the first to describe the personal light exposure pattern during the waking day in elderly with ID. METHODS: The study sample consists of 82 elderly with ID (aged 62.3 ± 9.4 years) living in 16 residential homes of three care organisations in the Netherlands. Personal light exposure was measured continuously for 7-10 days using a HOBO data logger light sensor, measuring illuminance at chest height. Participants wore a wrist-worn accelerometer (Actiwatch or Geneactiv) to indicate the bedtimes to determine the waking day. RESULTS: The variation in illuminance is small during the waking day. Elderly with ID spend most of their waking day (mean duration = 14:32:43 h) in dim light (1-500 lux) environment and spend a median of 32 min in light > 1000 lux. Within participants, the threshold associated with better sleep (>50 min of light > 1000 lux) was reached for 34% of the days, and the threshold associated with less depressive symptoms (>30 min of light > 1000 lux) was reached in 46% of the days. Exposure > 1000 lux was lower during weekends than during weekdays. CONCLUSION: Elderly with ID spend most of their waking day in low light levels and did not meet the proposed values associated with better sleep and mood. Given the importance of adequate light exposure for regulation of sleep and mood, and the prevalence of sleep and mood problems in elderly with ID, the current study suggests that the lit environment for this already frail population should be given more attention.

Patients', healthcare providers', and insurance company employees' preferences for knee and hip osteoarthritis care: a discrete choice experiment.

OBJECTIVE: To determine patients', healthcare providers', and insurance company employees' preferences for knee and hip osteoarthritis (KHOA) care. DESIGN: In a discrete choice experiment, patients with KHOA or a joint replacement, healthcare providers, and insurance company employees were repetitively asked to choose between KHOA care alternatives that differed in six attributes: waiting times, out of pocket costs, travel distance, involved healthcare providers, duration of consultation, and access to specialist equipment. A (panel latent class) conditional logit model was used to determine preference heterogeneity and relative importance of the attributes. RESULTS: Patients (n = 648) and healthcare providers (n = 76) valued low out of pocket costs most, while insurance company employees (n = 150) found a joint consultation by general practitioner (GP) and orthopaedist most important. Patients found the duration of consultation less important than healthcare providers and insurance company employees did. Patients without a joint replacement were likely to prefer healthcare with low out of pocket costs. Patients with a joint replacement and/or low disease-specific quality of life were likely to prefer healthcare from an orthopaedist. Patients who already received healthcare for knee/hip problems were likely to prefer a joint consultation by GP and orthopaedist, and direct access to specialist equipment. CONCLUSIONS: Patients, healthcare providers, and insurance company employees highly prefer a joint consultation by GP and orthopaedist with low out of pocket costs. Within patients, there is substantial preference heterogeneity. These results can be used by policy makers and healthcare providers to choose the most optimal combination of KHOA care aligned to patients' preferences.

A new diagnostic work-up for defining anemia etiologies: a cohort study in patients ≥ 50 years in general practices.

BACKGROUND: To study etiologies of anemia using an extensive laboratory analysis in general practices. METHOD: An extensive laboratory analysis was performed in blood of newly diagnosed anemia patients aged ≥50 years from the general population in the city of Dordrecht area, the Netherlands. Eight laboratory-orientated etiologies of anemia were defined. Patients were assigned one or more of these etiologies on the basis of their test results. RESULTS: Blood of 4152 patients (median age 75 years; 49% male) was analyzed. The anemia etiology was unclear in 20%; a single etiology was established in 59%; and multiple etiologies in 22% of the patients. The most common etiologies were anemia of chronic disease (ACD) (54.5%), iron deficiency anemia (IDA) (19.1%) and renal anemia (13.8%). The most common single etiologies were IDA (82%) and ACD (68%), while the multiple etiologies most commonly included folic acid deficiency (94%) and suspected bone marrow disease (88%). Older age was associated with a lower incidence of IDA and a higher incidence of renal anemia. Mild anemia was more often associated with ACD and uncertain anemia, while severe anemia was mainly seen in patients with IDA. CONCLUSION: Extensive laboratory analysis in anemic patients from the general population helped clarify the etiology of anemia and revealed many various combinations of etiologies in a significant proportion of patients. Age, sex and the severity of anemia are predictive of the underlying etiology.

Healthcare utilization and management of actinic keratosis in primary and secondary care: a complementary database analysis.

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of actinic keratosis (AK) requires the optimal use of healthcare resources. OBJECTIVES: To gain insight in to the healthcare utilization of people with AK in a population-based cohort, and the management of AK in a primary and secondary care setting. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using three complementary data sources was conducted to describe the use of care, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with AK in the Netherlands. Data sources consisted of a population-based cohort study (Rotterdam Study), routine general practitioner (GP) records (Integrated Primary Care Information) and nationwide claims data (DRG Information System). RESULTS: In the population-based cohort (Rotterdam Study), 69% (918 of 1322) of participants diagnosed with AK during a skin-screening visit had no previous AK-related visit in their GP record. This proportion was 50% for participants with extensive AK (i.e. ≥ 10 AKs; n = 270). Cryotherapy was the most used AK treatment by both GPs (78%) and dermatologists (41-56%). Topical agents were the second most used treatment by dermatologists (13-21%) but were rarely applied in primary care (2%). During the first AK-related GP visit, 31% (171 of 554) were referred to a dermatologist, and the likelihood of being referred was comparable between low- and high-risk patients, which is inconsistent with the Dutch general practitioner guidelines for 'suspicious skin lesions' from 2017. Annually, 40 000 new claims representing 13% of all dermatology claims were labelled as cutaneous premalignancy. Extensive follow-up rates (56%) in secondary care were registered, while only 18% received a claim for a subsequent cutaneous malignancy in 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: AK management seems to diverge from guidelines in both primary and secondary care. Underutilization of field treatments, inappropriate treatments and high referral rates without proper risk stratification in primary care, combined with extensive follow-up in secondary care result in the inefficient use of healthcare resources and overburdening in secondary care. Efforts directed to better risk differentiation and guideline adherence may prove useful in increasing the efficiency in AK management. What's already known about this topic? The prevalence of actinic keratosis (AK) is high and, in particular, multiple AKs are a strong skin cancer predictor. The high prevalence of AK requires optimal use of healthcare resources. Nevertheless, (population based) AK healthcare utilization and management data are very rare. What does this study add? Although AK-related care already consumes substantial resources, about 70% of the AK population has never received care. Primary care AK management demonstrated underutilization of topical therapies and high referral rates without proper risk stratification, while in secondary care the extensive follow-up schedules were applied. This inefficient use of healthcare resources highlights the need for better harmonization and risk stratification to increase the efficiency of AK care.

Effect of weight change on progression of knee OA structural features assessed by MRI in overweight and obese women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of weight change on progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA) structural features by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in overweight and obese women without clinical knee OA. DESIGN: 347 participants from the Prevention of Knee Osteoarthritis in Overweight Females (PROOF) study were classified with latent class growth analysis into a subgroup with steady weight (n = 260; +0.1 ± 4.0 kg, +0.2 ± 4.4%), weight gain (n = 43; +8.6 ± 4.0 kg, +9.8 ± 4.1%) or weight loss (n = 44; -9.0 ± 7.2 kg, -9.8 ± 7.5%) over 2.5 years. Baseline and follow-up 1.5T MRIs were scored with MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS) for progression of bone marrow lesions (BMLs), cartilage defects, osteophytes, meniscal abnormalities, meniscal extrusion and synovitis. Associations between subgroups and change in MRI features at knee-level were assessed using adjusted Generalized Estimating Equations. RESULTS: 687 knees from 347 women (median age 55.2 years, interquartile range (IQR) 5.5, median body mass index (BMI) 31.2 kg/m2, IQR 5.3) were analyzed. Progression of synovitis was 18% in the weight gain vs 7% in the stable weight subgroup (OR 2.88; 95%CI 1.39-5.94). The odds for progression of patellofemoral (PF) BMLs and cartilage defects increased with 62% (OR 1.62; 95%CI 0.92-2.84) and 53% (OR 1.53; 95%CI 0.92-2.56) in the weight gain vs the stable weight subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: In overweight and obese women, progression of synovitis increased more than 2.5 times in a weight gain compared to a stable weight subgroup over 2.5 years. Large effect sizes were also found for the difference in progression of PF BMLs and PF cartilage defects between the weight gain and stable weight subgroup.

Symptomatic treatment of pollen-related allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in children: randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: About 12% of children are affected by allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR). Although the main symptomatic treatments are intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) (daily or on demand) and oral antihistamines, it remains unclear which treatment provides the best relief of symptoms. Therefore, this study examines whether daily use of INCS is superior to on-demand use or to oral antihistamines on demand. METHODS: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial in children (aged 6-18 years) with pollen-related AR. Patients received either INCS daily (fluticasone propionate), INCS on demand (fluticasone propionate) or oral antihistamine on demand (levocetirizine) for 3 months during the grass pollen season. A daily online symptom diary on both nose and eye symptoms was completed. The primary outcome was the percentage of symptom-free days. RESULTS: A total of 150 children were randomized. The percentage symptom-free days was in favour of INCS on demand (30%) compared with INCS daily (22%), that is 8% difference (95% CI -5 to +21%; not significant). The antihistamine on-demand group had 15% symptom-free days, that is 7% difference compared to INCS daily (95% CI -6 to +19%;, not significant). Patients in the INCS on-demand group used on average 61% less fluticasone than patients in the INCS daily group during the study period (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This trial with three parallel treatment groups shows that INCS daily was not superior to INCS on demand or to antihistamine on demand regarding the number of symptom-free days. An on-demand INCS strategy has the advantage of a lower overall corticosteroid exposure and less costs.

Stability and predictiveness of multiple trigger and episodic viral wheeze in preschoolers.

BACKGROUND: In 2008, the European Respiratory Society Task Force proposed the terms multiple-trigger wheeze (MTW) and episodic (viral) wheeze (EVW) for children with wheezing episodes. We determined MTW and EVW prevalence, their 24-month stability and predictiveness for asthma. METHODS: In total, 565 preschoolers (1-, 2- and 3-year-olds) in primary care with respiratory symptoms were followed until the age of 6 years when asthma was diagnosed. MTW status and EVW status were determined using questionnaire data collected at baseline and after one and 2 years. We distinguished 3 phenotypes and determined their 24-month stability, also accounting for treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Logistic regression was used to analyse the phenotypes' associations with asthma. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-one children had complete information. MTW and EVW were stable in 10 of 281 (3.6%) and 24 of 281 (8.5%), respectively. The odds of developing asthma for children with stable MTW and stable EVW were 14.4 (1.7-119) and 3.6 (1.2-11.3) times greater than those for children free of wheeze (for at least 1 year). ICS was associated with increased stability of MTW and EVW. CONCLUSIONS: Stable multiple-trigger and stable episodic viral wheeze are relatively uncommon. However, 1- to 3-year-olds with stable MTW are at much increased risk of asthma.

Defining hip pain trajectories in early symptomatic hip osteoarthritis--5 year results from a nationwide prospective cohort study (CHECK).

OBJECTIVE: To define distinct hip pain trajectories in individuals with early symptomatic hip osteoarthritis (OA) and to determine risk factors for these pain trajectories. METHOD: Data were obtained from the nationwide prospective Cohort Hip and Cohort Knee (CHECK) study. Participants with hip pain or stiffness and a completed 5-year follow-up were included. Baseline demographic, anamnestic, physical examination characteristics were assessed. Outcome was annually assessed by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain. Pain trajectories were retrieved by latent class growth analysis (LCGA). Multinomial logistic regression was used to calculate risk ratios. RESULTS: 545 participants were included. Four distinct pain trajectories were uncovered by LCGA. We found significant differences in baseline characteristics, including body mass index (BMI); symptom severity; pain coping strategies and in criteria for clinical hip OA (American College of Rheumatology (ACR)). Lower education, higher activity limitation scores, frequent use of pain transformation as coping strategy and painful internal hip rotation were more often associated with trajectories characterized by more severe pain. No association was found for baseline radiographic features. CONCLUSION: We defined four distinct pain trajectories over 5 years follow-up in individuals with early symptomatic hip OA, suggesting there are differences in symptomatic progression of hip OA. Baseline radiographic severity was not associated with the pain trajectories. Future research should be aimed at measuring symptomatic progression of hip OA with even more frequent symptom assessment.

Reducing progression of knee OA features assessed by MRI in overweight and obese women: secondary outcomes of a preventive RCT.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the preventive effects of a randomized controlled trial on progression of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) features of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in overweight and obese women. DESIGN: In a 2 × 2 factorial design, 2.5 years effects of a diet and exercise program and of glucosamine sulphate (double-blind, placebo-controlled) were evaluated in 407 middle-aged women with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27 kg/m(2) without clinical signs of knee OA at baseline (ISRCTN 42823086). MRIs were scored with the MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS). Progression was defined for bone marrow lesions (BMLs), cartilage defects, osteophytes, meniscal abnormalities and meniscal extrusion. Analyses on knee level were performed over the four intervention groups using adjusted Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE). RESULTS: 687 knees of 347 women with mean age 55.7 years (±3.2 SD) and mean BMI 32.3 kg/m(2) (±4.2 SD) were analyzed. Baseline prevalence was 64% for BMLs, 70% for cartilage defects, 24% for osteophytes, 66% for meniscal abnormalities and 52% for meniscal extrusions. The diet and exercise program + placebo intervention showed significantly less progression of meniscal extrusion compared to placebo only (12% vs 22%, OR 0.50, 95% CI [0.27-0.92]). The interventions did not result in significant differences on other OA MRI features. CONCLUSIONS: In subjects at high risk for future knee OA development, a diet and exercise program, glucosamine sulphate and their combination showed small and mainly non-significant effects on the progression of OA MRI features. Only progression of meniscal extrusion was significantly diminished by the diet and exercise program.

Atopic dermatitis, asthma and allergic rhinitis in general practice and the open population: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether significant differences exist between the self-reported prevalence of atopic disorders in the open population compared with physician diagnosed prevalence of atopic disorders in general practice. METHODS: Medline (OvidSP), PubMed Publisher, EMBASE, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials Register databases were systematically reviewed for articles providing data on the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in a GP setting. Studies were only included when they had a cross-sectional or cohort design and included more than 100 children (aged 0-18 years) in a general practice setting. All ISAAC studies (i.e. the open population) that geographically matched a study selected from the first search, were also included. A quality assessment was conducted. The primary outcome measures were prevalence of eczema, asthma and allergic rhinitis in children aged 0-18 years. RESULTS: The overall quality of the included studies was good. The annual and lifetime prevalences of the atopic disorders varied greatly in both general practice and the open population. On average, the prevalence of atopic disorders was higher in the open population. CONCLUSION: There are significant differences between the self-reported prevalence of atopic disorders in the open population compared with physician diagnosed prevalence of atopic disorders in general practice. Data obtained in the open population cannot simply be extrapolated to the general practice setting. This should be taken into account when considering a research topic or requirements for policy development. GPs should be aware of the possible misclassification of allergic disorders in their practice. Key Points Epidemiological data on atopic disorders in children can be obtained from various sources, each having its own advantages and limitations. On average, the prevalence of atopic disorders is higher in the open population. GPs should take into account the possible misclassification of atopic disorders in their practice population. Policymakers should be aware that data obtained in the open population cannot simply be extrapolated to the general practice setting.

Association of urinary biomarker COLL2-1NO2 with incident clinical and radiographic knee OA in overweight and obese women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between urinary biomarker Coll2-1NO2 (uColl2-1NO2) and incident knee OA after 2.5 years follow-up in middle-aged overweight and obese women at high risk for knee osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: Data were used from PROOF, a randomized controlled trial with 2.5 years follow-up evaluating the preventive effects of a diet and exercise program and oral glucosamine sulphate (double blind and placebo controlled), on development of incident knee OA in women with body mass index ≥ 27 kg/m(2) without signs of knee OA at baseline. Baseline and 2.5 years uColl2-1NO2 concentrations were assessed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Primary outcome measure was incidence of knee OA in one or both knees, defined as incidence of either Kellgren & Lawrence grade ≥2, joint space narrowing of ≥1.0 mm or knee OA according to the combined clinical and radiographic ACR-criteria. We used binary logistic regression for the association analyses. RESULTS: 254 women were available for analyses. At 2.5 years follow-up, incident knee OA was present in 72 of 254 women (28.3%). An inversed association was found between baseline uColl2-1NO2 and incident knee OA at 2.5 years (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.55-0.99). The concentration at 2.5 years and the change in concentration over 2.5 years did not show significant associations with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In overweight and obese middle-aged women, not higher but lower baseline uColl2-1NO2 concentration was significantly associated with an increased risk for incident knee OA. This interesting but counterintuitive outcome makes further validation of this biomarker warranted.

Prognostic factors and the value of radiographic osteoarthritis for persistent complaints after referral for ankle radiography.

BACKGROUND: Ankle symptoms are a common reason to consult the general practitioner and often persist for years. In a population referred for ankle radiography, the prevalence of radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) is substantial, but its additional predictive value for persistent symptoms is unknown. Therefore, we examined the prognosis of symptoms 2-3 years after referral for ankle radiography, assessed clinical prognostic factors, and the additional predictive value of radiographic OA for persistent ankle complaints. METHODS: We included 893 adults referred for ankle radiography and studied the following candidate prognostic factors at baseline: age, sex, body mass index (BMI), referral for chronic complaints (>3 months), pain during activity (NRS-11) and presence of stiffness and functional loss as predominant symptom. X-rays were scored for radiographic OA. After 2-3 years participants were invited for a follow-up questionnaire including persistence of ankle complaints. To assess prognostic factors for persistent complaints, uni- and multivariable logistic regression were used. RESULTS: Of the 194 responders at follow-up, ankle complaints persisted in 71(36.6 %). BMI (OR 1.08; 95 % CI 1.01-1.15), stiffness as predominant symptom (OR 1.69; 95 % CI 0.89-3.21), and chronic complaints (OR 2.84; 95 % CI 1.45-5.57) were in the initial model for persistent complaints (AUC=0.69). After adding radiographic OA (OR 2.36; 95 % CI 1.01-5.50), the AUC of the final model became 0.70. CONCLUSION: Ankle complaints persist in a considerable proportion of patients 2-3 years after referral for ankle radiography. BMI, chronic complaints and radiographic OA are prognostic factors for persistent complaints, but the additional predictive value of radiographic OA on top of clinical factors is negligible.

Prevalence of radiographic ankle osteoarthritis in different subgroups of patients referred for ankle radiography.

BACKGROUND: Ankle osteoarthritis(OA) has detrimental effects on physical health and has a relatively early disease onset compared to OA in other joints. However, the prevalence of radiographic ankle OA in different subgroups of patients referred for ankle radiography remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence of radiographic talocrural, subtalar and talonavicular OA(Kellgren-Lawrence scale ≥2) in a population referred for ankle radiography. Moreover, we aimed to identify differences in prevalence between specific subgroups of patients i.e. Body Mass Index (BMI), sex, age and reason for referral. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a radiology department serving primary and secondary care. Patients completed a questionnaire before radiography. Features of radiographic ankle OA were assessed for subgroups of patients, including; BMI, sex, age and reason for referral (chronic vs (sub)acute complaints). To examine the difference in (features of) radiographic OA for subgroups, multinomial and logistic regression were used to calculate Odds Ratios (ORs), with adjustment for age, sex and BMI. RESULTS: Data from 893 patients that visited the radiology department across 16 months in 2017 or 2018 were included for analysis. Prevalence of radiographic ankle OA was 9.2%, 0.4% and 7.0%, for the talocrural, subtalar and talonavicular joint, respectively. Obesity was associated with radiographic talonavicular OA (adjusted OR 2.16, 95%CI:1.09; 5.26). Radiographic talocrural and talonavicular OA were both positively associated with male sex [(adjusted OR 4.64, 95%CI:276; 7.81) and (adjusted OR 1.95, 95%CI:1.13; 3.35), respectively]. CONCLUSION: Radiographic ankle OA was more common in men and obese patients that were referred to radiology.

Is radiographic osteoarthritis associated with pain and disability of the ankle?

Objective: Ankle osteoarthritis (OA) is relatively understudied. It often affects younger people compared to OA in other joints. Evidence on the association between radiographic OA and ankle symptoms remains contradicting. We therefore examined the association of degree of radiographic talocrural, subtalar and talonavicular OA with severity of ankle pain, disability and predominant symptoms. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a radiology department serving primary and secondary care. From the total study population (adults referred for ankle radiography), patients with chronic ankle complaints were selected (N â€‹= â€‹231). Before radiography, participants completed a questionnaire on severity of ankle pain and disability using the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS), and on their predominant symptoms, i.e. pain, functional loss, stiffness and/or instability. To assess the associations of the Kellgren-Lawrence scores (0, 1 or ≥2) with the primary outcomes (AOS), linear regression, and with the secondary outcomes predominant symptoms, logistic regression analyses were applied. Results: Radiographic OA was not associated with AOS-pain and -disability. Radiographic talocrural OA was associated with functional loss (OR 3.26, 95% CI: 1.31; 8.11). A positive trend was seen between radiographic talonavicular OA and stiffness (OR 2.63, 95% CI: 0.97; 7.15). Conclusion: The presence of radiographic OA is not associated with severity of ankle pain and disability in patients with chronic ankle complaints referred for ankle radiography. However, radiographic talocrural OA is associated with functional loss and radiographic talonavicular OA with stiffness as predominant symptom. These findings may contribute to better recognition of ankle OA in clinical practice.