Prevalence of chronic non-cancer pain among military veterans: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic non-cancer pain is common among military veterans; however, the prevalence is uncertain. This information gap complicates policy decisions and resource planning to ensure veterans have access to healthcare services that align with their needs. METHODS: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Web of Science from inception to 9 February 2023 for observational studies reporting the prevalence of chronic non-cancer pain among military veterans. We performed random-effects meta-analysis to pool pain prevalence data across studies and used the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to evaluate the certainty of evidence. RESULTS: Forty-two studies that included 14 305 129 veterans were eligible for review, of which 28 studies (n=5 011 634) contributed to our meta-analysis. Most studies (90%; 38 of 42) enrolled US veterans, the median of the mean age among study participants was 55 years (IQR 45-62) and 85% were male. The pooled prevalence of chronic non-cancer pain was 45%; however, we found evidence of a credible subgroup effect based on representativeness of the study population. Moderate certainty evidence found the prevalence of chronic pain among studies enrolling military veterans from the general population was 30% (95% CI 23% to 37%) compared with 51% (95% CI 38% to 64%) among military veterans sampled from populations with high rates of conditions associated with chronic pain (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: We found moderate certainty evidence that 3 in every 10 military veterans from the general population live with chronic non-cancer pain. These findings underscore the importance of ensuring access to evidence-based care for chronic pain for veterans, and the need for prevention and early management to reduce transition from acute to chronic pain. Further research, employing a standardised assessment of chronic pain, is needed to disaggregate meaningful subgroups; for example, the proportion of veterans living with moderate to severe pain compared with mild pain.

Health measurement instruments and their applicability to military veterans: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Accurate measurement of health status is essential to assess veterans' needs and the effects of interventions directed at improving veterans' well-being. We conducted a systematic review to identify instruments that measure subjective health status, considering four components (ie, physical, mental, social or spiritual well-being). METHODS: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, we searched CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, JSTOR, ERIC, Social Sciences Abstracts and ProQuest in June 2021 for studies reporting on the development or evaluation of instruments measuring subjective health among outpatient populations. We assessed risk of bias with the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments tool and engaged three veteran partners to independently assess the clarity and applicability of identified instruments. RESULTS: Of 5863 abstracts screened, we identified 45 eligible articles that reported health-related instruments in the following categories: general health (n=19), mental health (n=7), physical health (n=8), social health (n=3) and spiritual health (n=8). We found evidence for adequate internal consistency for 39 instruments (87%) and good test-retest reliability for 24 (53%) instruments. Of these, our veteran partners identified five instruments for the measurement of subjective health (Military to Civilian Questionnaire (M2C-Q), Veterans RAND 36-Item Health Survey (VR-36), Short Form 36, Abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and Sleep Health Scale) as clear and very applicable to veterans. Of the two instruments developed and validated among veterans, the 16-item M2C-Q considered most components of health (mental, social and spiritual). Of the three instruments not validated among veterans, only the 26-item WHOQOL-BREF considered all four components of health. CONCLUSION: We identified 45 health measurement instruments of which, among those reporting adequate psychometric properties and endorsed by our veteran partners, 2 instruments showed the most promise for measurement of subjective health. The M2C-Q, which requires augmentation to capture physical health (eg, the physical component score of the VR-36), and the WHOQOL-BREF, which requires validation among veterans.

Patient coping and expectations predict recovery after major orthopaedic trauma.

BACKGROUND: Persistent post-surgical pain and associated disability are common after a traumatic fracture repair. Preliminary evidence suggests that patients' beliefs and perceptions may influence their prognosis. METHODS: We used data from the Fluid Lavage of Open Wounds trial to determine, in 1560 open fracture patients undergoing surgical repair, the association between Somatic PreOccupation and Coping (captured by the SPOC questionnaire) and recovery at 1 yr. RESULTS: Of the 1218 open fracture patients with complete data available for analysis, 813 (66.7%) reported moderate to extreme pain at 1 yr. The addition of SPOC scores to an adjusted regression model to predict persistent pain improved the concordance statistic from 0.66 to 0.74, and found the greatest risk was associated with high (≥74) SPOC scores [odds ratio: 5.63; 99% confidence interval (CI): 3.59-8.84; absolute risk increase 40.6%; 99% CI: 30.8%, 48.6%]. Thirty-eight per cent (484 of 1277) reported moderate to extreme pain interference at 1 yr. The addition of SPOC scores to an adjusted regression model to predict pain interference improved the concordance statistic from 0.66 to 0.75, and the greatest risk was associated with high SPOC scores (odds ratio: 6.06; 99% CI: 3.97-9.25; absolute risk increase: 18.3%; 95% CI: 11.7%, 26.7%). In our adjusted multivariable regression models, SPOC scores at 6 weeks post-surgery accounted for 10% of the variation in short form-12 physical component summary scores and 14% of short form-12 mental component summary scores at 1 yr. CONCLUSIONS: Amongst patients undergoing surgical repair of open extremity fractures, high SPOC questionnaire scores at 6 weeks post-surgery were predictive of persistent pain, reduced quality of life, and pain interference at 1 yr. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00788398.

Perioperative psychotherapy for persistent post-surgical pain and physical impairment: a meta-analysis of randomised trials.

BACKGROUND: Persistent post-surgical pain affects 10-80% of individuals after common operations, and is more common among patients with psychological factors such as depression, anxiety, or catastrophising. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised, controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of perioperative psychotherapy for persistent post-surgical pain and physical impairment. Paired independent reviewers identified studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system was used to assess the quality of evidence. RESULTS: Our search of five electronic databases, up to September 1, 2016, found 15 trials (2220 patients) that were eligible for review. For both persistent post-surgical pain and physical impairment, perioperative education was ineffective, while active psychotherapy suggested a benefit (test of interaction P=0.01 for both outcomes). Moderate quality evidence showed that active perioperative psychotherapy (cognitive-behaviour therapy, relaxation therapy, or both) significantly reduced persistent post-surgical pain [weighted mean difference (WMD) -1.06 cm on a 10 cm visual analogue scale for pain, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.56 to -0.55 cm; risk difference (RD) for achieving no more than mild pain (≤3 cm) 14%, 95% CI 8-21%] and physical impairment [WMD -9.87% on the 0-100% Oswestry Disability Index, 95% CI -13.42 to -6.32%, RD for achieving no more than mild disability (≤20%) 21%, 95% CI 13-29%]. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative cognitive behavioural therapy and relaxation therapy are effective for reducing persistent pain and physical impairment after surgery. Future studies should explore targeted psychotherapy for surgical patients at higher risk for poor outcome. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42016047335.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for treatment of tibial fractures: an economic evaluation of the TRUST study.

AIMS: This 501-patient, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial sought to establish the effect of low-intensity, pulsed, ultrasound (LIPUS) on tibial shaft fractures managed with intramedullary nailing. We conducted an economic evaluation as part of this trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data for patients' use of post-operative healthcare resources and time taken to return to work were collected and costed using publicly available sources. Health-related quality of life, assessed using the Health Utilities Index Mark-3 (HUI-3), was used to derive quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Costs and QALYs were compared between LIPUS and control (a placebo device) from a payer and societal perspective using non-parametric bootstrapping. All costs are reported in 2015 Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. RESULTS: With a cost per device of $3,995, the mean cost was significantly higher for patients treated with LIPUS versus placebo from a payer (mean increase = $3647, 95% confidence interval (CI) $3244 to $4070; p < 0.001) or a societal perspective (mean increase = $3425, 95% CI $1568 to $5283; p < 0.001). LIPUS did not provide a significant benefit in terms of QALYs gained (mean difference = 0.023 QALYs, 95% CI -0.035 to 0.069; p = 0.474). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of LIPUS compared with placebo were $155 433/QALY from a payer perspective and $146 006/QALY from a societal perspective. CONCLUSION: At the current price, LIPUS is not cost-effective for fresh tibial fractures managed with intramedullary nailing. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1526-32.

Guideline for opioid therapy and chronic noncancer pain

Guideline for opioid therapy and chronic noncancer pain: the objective is to inform the prescribing of opioids for adults with chronic noncancer pain.

Patient coping and expectations about recovery predict the development of chronic post-surgical pain after traumatic tibial fracture repair.

BACKGROUND: The association of patient expectations about recovery with the development of chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) is uncertain. METHODS: Three hundred and fifty-nine patients enrolled in the SPRINT trial completed the Somatic Preoccupation and Coping (SPOC) questionnaire six weeks after a traumatic tibial fracture repair. The SPOC questionnaire measures patients' somatic complaints, coping, and optimism for recovery. Using adjusted models, we explored the association of SPOC scores with ≥ mild CPSP and ≥ moderate pain interference with activity at one yr after surgery. RESULTS: Of 267 tibial fracture patients with data available for analysis, 147 (55.1%) reported CPSP at one yr. The incidence of CPSP was 37.6% among those with low (≤40) SPOC scores, 54.1% among those with intermediate (41-80) scores, and 81.7% among those with high (>80) scores. Addition of SPOC scores to an adjusted regression model to predict CPSP improved the c-statistic from 0.61 (95% CI 0.55-0.68) to 0.70 (95% CI 0.64-0.76, P=0.005 for the difference) and found the greatest risk was associated with high SPOC scores (OR 6.56, 95% CI 2.90-14.81). Similarly, an adjusted regression model to predict pain interference with function at one yr (c-statistic 0.77, 95% CI 0.71-0.83) found the greatest risk for those with high SPOC scores (OR 10.10, 95% CI 4.26-23.96). CONCLUSIONS: Patient's coping and expectations of recovery, as measured by the SPOC questionnaire, is an independent predictor of CPSP and pain interference one yr after traumatic tibial fracture. Future studies should explore whether these beliefs can be modified, and if doing so improves prognosis. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT 00038129.

The effect of surgical synovectomy and radiotherapy on the rate of recurrence of pigmented villonodular synovitis of the knee: an individual patient meta-analysis.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare proliferative process of the synovium which most commonly affects the knee and occurs in either a localised (LPVNS) or a diffuse form (DPVNS). The effect of different methods of surgical synovectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy on the rate of recurrence is unclear. We conducted a systematic review and identified 35 observational studies in English which reported the use of surgical synovectomy to treat PVNS of the knee. A meta-analysis included 630 patients, 137 (21.8%) of whom had a recurrence after synovectomy. For patients with DPVNS, low-quality evidence found that the rate of recurrence was reduced by both open synovectomy (odds ration (OR) = 0.47; 95% CI 0.25 to 0.90; p = 0.024) and combined open and arthroscopic synovectomy (OR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.06 to 0.58; p = 0.003) compared with arthroscopic surgery. Very low-quality evidence found that the rate of recurrence of DPVNS was reduced by peri-operative radiotherapy (OR = 0.31, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.70; p = 0.01). Very low-quality evidence suggested that the rate of recurrence of LPVNS was not related to the surgical approach. This meta-analysis suggests that open synovectomy or synovectomy combined with peri-operative radiotherapy for DPVNS is associated with a reduced rate of recurrence. Large long-term prospective multicentre observational studies, with a focus on both rate of recurrence and function, are required to confirm these findings.

Comparing current definitions of return to work: a measurement approach.

INTRODUCTION: Return-to-work (RTW) status is an often used outcome in work and health research. In low back pain, work is regarded as a normal activity a worker should return to in order to fully recover. Comparing outcomes across studies and even jurisdictions using different definitions of RTW can be challenging for readers in general and when performing a systematic review in particular. In this study, the measurement properties of previously defined RTW outcomes were examined with data from two studies from two countries. METHODS: Data on RTW in low back pain (LBP) from the Canadian Early Claimant Cohort (ECC); a workers' compensation based study, and the Dutch Amsterdam Sherbrooke Evaluation (ASE) study were analyzed. Correlations between outcomes, differences in predictive validity when using different outcomes and construct validity when comparing outcomes to a functional status outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: In the ECC all definitions were highly correlated and performed similarly in predictive validity. When compared to functional status, RTW definitions in the ECC study performed fair to good on all time points. In the ASE study all definitions were highly correlated and performed similarly in predictive validity. The RTW definitions, however, failed to compare or compared poorly with functional status. Only one definition compared fairly on one time point. CONCLUSIONS: Differently defined outcomes are highly correlated, give similar results in prediction, but seem to differ in construct validity when compared to functional status depending on societal context or possibly birth cohort. Comparison of studies using different RTW definitions appears valid as long as RTW status is not considered as a measure of functional status.

Evaluating the evidence for assessing BNP and NT-proBNP levels.

OBJECTIVES: To provide an overview of 5 systematic reviews in this issue of Clinical Biochemistry addressing the diagnostic and prognostic power of natriuretic peptides. DESIGN AND METHODS: Editorial. RESULTS: Limited quality of the primary studies and the large variability in their results limit the inferences that can be drawn from reviews in this series. CONCLUSIONS: The current data justify neither enthusiastic use, nor confident rejection, of BNP and NT-proBNP levels to inform the prognosis or diagnosis of heart failure.

Rapid progression of acute sciatica to cauda equina syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the importance of clinical examination and continued vigilance for neurologic deterioration in patients with sciatica. Cauda equina syndrome, a rare sequela of sciatica, is considered a medical emergency requiring surgical decompression. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 32-year-old woman had sciatica that rapidly progressed to cauda equina syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed the presence of a large nonsequestered disk fragment in the lower lumbar spine. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The disk fragment was surgically excised. The patient experienced immediate pain relief after surgery but retained neurologic deficits. After 6 months of rehabilitation, neurologic integrity was restored, aside from patchy sensory loss of the left foot and buttocks. At the 6-month follow-up, the patient's sciatica had not returned. CONCLUSIONS: Most cases of sciatica, regardless of cause, will self-resolve; as a result, there might be a tendency to maintain a low index of suspicion for serious, progressive disorders such as cauda equina syndrome. Patients need to be educated as to signs of this emergency condition and informed as to the possible consequences of delaying treatment. By maintaining a high index of suspicion for any case that fails to respond as expected to a course of conservative therapy or that demonstrates signs of cauda equina syndrome, chiropractors can assume a pivotal role by investigating and referring appropriately and by aiding in active rehabilitation postoperatively.

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of bone tumors.

Timely diagnosis of osseous tumors is essential in providing proper management. Appropriate imaging studies are essential to this process, however, if inconclusive, they can be superceded by information obtained through the patient history and physical examination.

Delayed presentation of cauda equina syndrome secondary to lumbar disc herniation: functional outcomes and health-related quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a feared complication of lumbar disc herniation. It is generally accepted that CES requires decompression within 6 hours of symptom onset, but this time goal is rarely met, and the relative benefit of delayed decompression on functional status and quality of life (QOL) remains unknown. The study objective was to describe the functional status and quality of life outcomes for patients who undergo delayed surgical decompression for CES. METHODS: Patients with CES who underwent decompression of a herniated lumbar disc during a 10-year period were assessed at hospital discharge and at least 4 months after the procedure. Evaluation of functional outcomes was based on a previously validated scale and QOL outcomes on the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire. RESULTS: During the study period, 1100 patients with herniated discs were identified, and 14 underwent surgical decompression for CES. All 14 had had symptoms for more than 38 hours before surgery. Ten patients were available for long-term follow-up. There was a strong correlation between long CES symptom duration and poor functional outcome: of 8 patients with symptoms for less than 10 days before decompression (range, 1.6-7.5 d), all had good functional outcomes. The 2 patients with more prolonged symptoms (10.6 and 14.2 d) had poor outcomes. SF-36 scores demonstrated declines in physical roles (p = 0.03), social function (p = 0.03) and increased pain (p = 0.003) compared with population norms. Correlation between SF-36 domain scores and CES symptom duration failed to achieve statistical significance, perhaps because of small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who undergo delayed decompression for CES have increased pain and impaired social and physical function. Longer delays correlate with worse functional outcomes. Beyond 24 hours, decompression delay may be associated with a poorer quality of life but, because of the rarity of CES, the sample size in this study was too small to provide definitive conclusions. Since no patients underwent surgery within 38.4 hours of symptoms, it is not possible to comment on the importance of emergent decompression in early presenters.

Chiropractors and vaccination: A historical perspective.

Although there is overwhelming evidence to show that vaccination is a highly effective method of controlling infectious diseases, a vocal element of the chiropractic profession maintains a strongly antivaccination bias. Reasons for this are examined. The basis seems to lie in early chiropractic philosophy, which, eschewing both the germ theory of infectious disease and vaccination, considered disease the result of spinal nerve dysfunction caused by misplaced (subluxated) vertebrae. Although rejected by medical science, this concept is still accepted by a minority of chiropractors. Although more progressive, evidence-based chiropractors have embraced the concept of vaccination, the rejection of it by conservative chiropractors continues to have a negative influence on both public acceptance of vaccination and acceptance of the chiropractic profession by orthodox medicine.

Improving prediction of preterm birth using a new classification scheme and rule induction.

Prediction of preterm birth is a poorly understood domain. The existing manual methods of assessment of preterm birth are 17%-38% accurate. The machine learning system LERS was used for three different datasets about pregnant women. Rules induced by LERS were used in conjunction with a classification scheme of LERS, based on "bucket brigade algorithm" of genetic algorithms and enhanced by partial matching. The resulting prediction of preterm birth in new, unseen cases is much more accurate (68%-90%).