Industry affiliation does not predict outcomes of randomized controlled trials for mesenchymal stem cells in knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: This research aims to determine the influence of industry on the outcomes of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) treatments in knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from 2010 onwards using the terms "knee osteoarthritis" and "mesenchymal stem cells". After identifying relevant RCTs, studies were categorized as industry-affiliated or non-industry-affiliated. They were also classified as favorable if they achieved statistically significant (p < 0.05) results with MSC injections compared to control. Chi-squared tests were employed to analyze the relationship between industry affiliation and study outcome. RESULTS: Post exclusion criteria, 38 studies were analyzed. Of these, there were 20 (52.6%) industry affiliated (IA) and 18 (47.4%) non-industry affiliated (NIA) studies. Among the 20 IA studies, 17 (85.0%) reported favorable outcomes for MSC treatment arm, with the remaining 3 (15.0%) showing analogous (no difference between treatment arms) results. For the 18 NIA studies, 15 (83.3%) were favorable, and 3 (16.6%) were analogous. No significant difference in outcomes was observed between IA and NIA studies (p = 0.888). Analysis of patient reported outcomes also revealed no significant difference. Of note, studies using allogeneic MSCs were more likely to be IA than studies using autologous MSCs (p = 0.005) CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated no strong association between industry affiliation and the outcomes of RCTs for MSC treatments in knee OA. Despite this, the potential influence of industry ties should always be considered when applying study findings to new treatment modalities for patient care.

Most Major Hospitals Fail to Comply with Federal Price Transparency Regulations.

PURPOSE: This study aims to present hospital compliance with federal price transparency regulations for sports medicine procedures. METHODS: Online price estimator and machine-readable files were recovered for U.S. News and World Report's (USNWR) top 100 orthopedic hospitals. From June to November 2023, compliance and monetary values were recorded for each of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) price transparency regulations. Price estimator data was assessed based on hospital placement in the bottom and top 50 of the 100 institutions under review, as well as by region (Northeast, South, Midwest, West). Statistical analyses included two-sample t-tests and Kruskal Wallis tests. RESULTS: 95% of hospitals had a price estimator tool for both subacromial decompression (Current Procedural Terminology (CPT): 29826) and meniscectomy (CPT: 29881). Only 38% were compliant with all regulations for subacromial decompression and 39% for meniscectomy; the remaining did not list minimum or maximum procedure charges. Higher ranked hospitals were significantly more likely to charge a higher cash price for subacromial decompression and meniscectomy (p = 0.040 and p = 0.009 respectively). Compliance with machine-readable file reporting was poor with less than 20% meeting requirements for each CPT code. Reported prices varied greatly by hospital. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that USNWR top 100 orthopedic hospitals exhibit poor overall compliance with federal price transparency regulations for sports medicine procedures. Most often they lack full compliance by not reporting minimum or maximum charges as part of their price estimator tool or do not report procedure prices in their machine-readable files. Hospitals also exhibit wide variation in prices reported for specific procedures. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Consumer price transparency continues to be an important goal in healthcare as it allows patients to make informed decisions when selecting appropriate treatment options and providers. To realize the full benefits of price transparency hospitals should address areas of improvement.

Results of Randomized Controlled Trials of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Lower-Extremity Tendinopathy Are Not Influenced by Industry Sponsorship.

PURPOSE: To determine whether industry affiliation influences the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of patellar or Achilles tendinopathy. METHODS: The PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and MEDLINE databases were searched in July 2023 for RCTs investigating PRP for the treatment of patellar or Achilles tendinopathy published between 2009 and July 2023. Industry affiliation was determined by analyzing each study's funding or conflict-of-interest section. Author disclosures were searched in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons disclosure database and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services open payments database. An industry-affiliated (IA) designation was given if an author had a relevant disclosure or if the company that funded the study manufactured PRP. Otherwise, a non-industry-affiliated (NIA) designation was given. Fisher exact analysis was used to determine whether PRP had a favorable effect, no significant effect, or an unfavorable effect on outcome. RESULTS: Analysis was performed on 22 studies (10 IA and 12 NIA), with 17 studies (77.3%) reporting a conflict of interest or funding for the research, 4 (18.2%) reporting no conflict of interest, and 1 (4.5%) with no reporting. Of the 22 included studies, 8 (36.4%) reported favorable outcomes regarding PRP use and 14 (63.6%) reported no significant effect. Favorable outcomes were found in 4 of the 10 IA studies (40.0%), whereas no significant effect was reported in 6 (60.0%). The 12 NIA studies included 4 (33.3%) with favorable results and 8 (66.7%) with no significant effect. The comparison between industry affiliation and results reported was not statistically significant (P > .999). CONCLUSIONS: The results of RCTs evaluating the use of PRP in lower-extremity tendinopathy were not influenced by industry sponsorship. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Most biomedical research is funded through industry sponsorship. Although this relation is necessary as technologies are developed, it is important to scrutinize studies for evidence of industry bias to understand how this bias may be affecting study results published in the literature.

Effect of BMI on Complications Following Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Population-Wide Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Evidence regarding the effect of body mass index (BMI) on complications following anatomic shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) remains controversial. This high-powered study examines the effect of BMI on surgical and medical complications following anatomic shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Premier Healthcare Database (PHD) to query all adult patients who underwent primary, elective TSA (aTSA, rTSA) from 2016 to 2020. Patients eligible for inclusion were identified using ICD-10 and CPT codes for primary TSA. Patients were stratified into three subgroups based on BMI (BMI <30 kg/m2, BMI 30-35 kg/m2, BMI > 35 kg/m2). The primary endpoints assessed were 90-day risks of postoperative complications, revisions, and readmissions among the three BMI groups undergoing primary TSA. RESULTS: A total of 32,645 patients were analyzed; 10,951 patients underwent aTSA and 21,694 patients underwent rTSA. Patient populations for aTSA and rTSA differed significantly across all BMI categories in terms of age, sex, cost of care, and insurance status. After multivariate regression analysis, there was no increased risk of surgical complications in the aTSA and rTSA cohorts with BMI 30-35 kg/m2 and BMI > 35 kg/m2. In the aTSA cohort, rates of acute respiratory failure (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 2.65) was all significantly higher in the BMI > 35 kg/m2 group. As for rTSA cohort, acute respiratory failure (aOR 1.67) and acute renal failure (aOR 1.53) were significantly higher in the BMI > 35 kg/m2 group. CONCLUSION: While we found no increased risk of immediate postoperative surgical risks, patients with a BMI > 35 kg/m2 demonstrated greater risk of medical complications after rTSA. Given this trend, providers should exercise caution in patient selection for TSA and counsel obese patients as to these increased risks. Future studies should aim to provide a more comprehensive picture of the effect of BMI on functional outcomes after TSA.

Perioperative Intravenous Dexamethasone Use Is Not Associated with Periprosthetic Joint Infection or Wound Healing Complications Following Shoulder Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative intravenous (IV) dexamethasone is commonly used in lower extremity total joint arthroplasty to manage postoperative pain and nausea/vomiting, and recent studies have demonstrated that its use may lower rates of acute postoperative medical complications. However, there is limited information regarding the safety and efficacy of IV dexamethasone in patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Additionally, there is concern surrounding corticosteroid use prior to surgery as preoperative corticosteroid injections have been associated with adverse outcomes after TSA, including periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and revision surgery. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of perioperative IV dexamethasone on 90-day rates of PJI, wound complications, and medical complications after TSA. METHODS: The Premiere national hospital database was used to identify adult patients undergoing elective TSA between 2016 and 2020; patients were excluded if they were under 18 years old, were undergoing revision TSA, or had a prior proximal humerus open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) procedure. Patients who did and did not receive perioperative IV dexamethasone were then compared in both univariate and multivariate analyses. A Bonferroni correction was utilized to adjust for multiple comparisons. The primary endpoint was risk of acute infectious complications within 90 days of surgery, including PJI and wound infection/dehiscence. Secondary endpoints included acute pulmonary, renal, and thromboembolic complications. RESULTS: A total of 135,333 patients underwent TSA during the study period; 61.2% underwent reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA), 33.8% underwent anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (ATSA), and 5.0% underwent hemiarthroplasty (HA). From 2016 to 2020, perioperative IV dexamethasone use increased by 135%. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients who received perioperative IV dexamethasone did not have increased odds of PJI, superficial wound infection, or wound dehiscence (p = 0.15 - 0.47) but did have decreased odds of sepsis (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.55-0.81) and other medical complications such as urinary tract infection (UTI) and acute kidney injury (AKI). Additionally, there was a trend towards decreased 90-day hospital readmission (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81-0.96, p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative IV dexamethasone was not associated with increased risk of acute infectious and wound healing complications. Moreover, patients who received perioperative IV dexamethasone had decreased odds of medical complications and trended towards lower rates of 90-day hospital readmission. The results of this study support the safety of perioperative IV dexamethasone use in patients undergoing elective TSA.

Evidence Guiding Commercial Payer Coverage Criteria for Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

Background: Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), first developed as an alternative to ankle arthrodesis, has become an increasingly popular management option for end-stage ankle arthritis. Prior studies have shown commercial insurance payers base their coverage criteria on limited and low level of evidence research. This study aims to quantify and describe the evidence insurance companies use to support TAA coverage policies. Methods: The top 11 national commercial health insurance payers for TAA were identified. A google search was performed to identify payer coverage policies. Policy documents were examined and cited references were classified by type of reference as well as reviewed for level of evidence (LOE). Specific coverage criteria for each individual payer were then extracted. Criteria were compared to assess for similarities among commercial payers. Finally, all references cited by each payer were examined to determine whether they mentioned the specific payer criteria. Results: Six of the 11 payers had accessible coverage policies. The majority of cited references were primary journal articles (145, 60.9%) and the majority of references cited (179, 75.2%) were level III or level IV evidence. We found significant homogeneity in coverage criteria among payers. In addition, cited sources inconsistently mentioned specific payer coverage criteria. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that commercial insurance payers rely on the relatively low level of currently available scientific evidence when formulating coverage policies for TAA use and adopt criteria that have not been thoroughly analyzed in the literature. More high level of evidence research is needed to help clinicians and insurance companies further refine indications for TAA so that patients who might benefit from the procedure are adequately covered. Level of Evidence: Level IV, review.

NCAA football players are at higher risk of upper extremity injury after first-time concussion.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has demonstrated that concussions increase the risk of subsequent lower extremity musculoskeletal injury in athletes. However, the risk of upper extremity injury in athletes' post-concussion is poorly understood. METHODS: All concussed football players within a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I conference athletic database were identified between 2017 and 2021. After exclusions, each athlete experiencing their first concussion was then retrospectively reviewed for upper extremity injuries in the year prior to their concussion and in the year beginning at 90 days after their concussion. All upper extremity injuries were identified and the odds ratio, 95% confidence interval, and statistical significance between groups were calculated in Microsoft Excel. RESULTS: 160 de-identified football players from a single conference who were first diagnosed with concussions in the seasons from 2017 through 2021 met inclusion criteria. In these athletes the odds of upper extremity injury in year following first diagnosed concussion were 2.36 times higher than in the year prior (95% CI 1.13-4.95, p = 0.02). Shoulder was the most common site of injury with 57.7% of injuries compared to 19.2% in the hand, 15.4% in the elbow, 7.7% in the forearm, and 0% in the wrist. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that collegiate football players are at a 2.36 times greater risk of upper extremity injury in the year following their first diagnosed concussion compared to the year preceding it. The most common site of upper extremity injury after concussion was the shoulder. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Randomized controlled trials in the shoulder arthroplasty literature rarely include key demographic and socioeconomic patient data.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that socioeconomic and demographic variables can greatly affect health outcomes. Previous studies across medical and surgical subspecialties have demonstrated that these variables are frequently under-reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). No such study currently exists that examines rates of reporting of sociodemographic variables in shoulder arthroplasty RCTs. This study aims to present these rates and explore the impact of failing to report socioeconomic variables in shoulder arthroplasty RCTs. METHODS: The PubMed database was queried for the term shoulder arthroplasty. Sixty-five RCTs from the past 10 years were identified for inclusion from 5 high-impact orthopedic surgery journals. Each RCT was analyzed for patient age and sex or gender as well as the following sociodemographic variables: race, ethnicity, insurance status, income, work status, and education. It was also noted whether each of the above variable was mentioned in the results section of the article. Data were presented in a descriptive fashion as well as analyzed using χ2 and Fisher exact tests where appropriate. RESULTS: From 2014 to 2023, the 65 shoulder arthroplasty RCTs published reported age in 40 of 65 (61.5%) in their results sections and 61 of 65 (93.8%) in any section. Sex or gender was reported in 27 of 65 (41.5%) in their results sections and 61 of 65 (93.8%) in any section. No articles included any sociodemographic variables in the results section. Reporting rates for sociodemographic variables in any section were as follows: race, 6 of 65 (9.2%); ethnicity, 5 of 65 (7.7%); work status, 4 of 65 (6.2%); and insurance status, 1 of 65 (1.5%). No studies included income or education of the enrolled patients. There was no difference in reporting sociodemographic variables by journal (P = .45) or by year of publication (P = .57). However, no study prior to 2020 included any sociodemographic variable (0 of 27, 0%), whereas from 2020 onward 6 studies included at least 1 (6 of 38, 15.8%). Sociodemographic variables were reported significantly less frequently than age and sex or gender (P = .001). DISCUSSION: Our study found sociodemographic variables are rarely reported in shoulder arthroplasty RCTs, whereas age and sex or gender are reported with great frequency. In order to understand the results of shoulder arthroplasty RCTs, apply their findings to the care of our patients, and address health disparities, we must ensure these studies include patient sociodemographic data.

Demographic and Socioeconomic Patient Data Are Rarely Included in Randomized Controlled Trials for Femoral Acetabular Impingement and Hip Arthroscopy: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: To determine the rate of reporting for sociodemographic variables in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating femoral acetabular impingement (FAI) and hip arthroscopy. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were queried for articles relating to FAI and hip arthroscopy. Articles included in final analysis were RCTs investigating operative management of FAI. Included RCTs were analyzed for reporting of age and sex or gender as well as the following sociodemographic variables: race, ethnicity, insurance status, income, housing status, work status, and education level in the results section or any section of the paper. Data was analyzed using χ2 and Fisher exact tests with significance defined as P < .05. Results: Forty-eight RCTs were identified from 2011 to 2023. Age was reported in 48 of 48 (100%) of included papers; sex or gender was reported in 47 of 48 (97.9%). Reporting of sociodemographic variables in any section respectively was: race (7/48, 14.6%), ethnicity (4/48, 8.33%), insurance status (0/48, 0%), income (1/48, 2.08%), housing status (0/48, 0%), work status (3/48, 6.25%), and education (2/48, 4.17%). There was no significant difference for reporting demographic variables with respect to journal or year of publication (P = .666 and P = .761, respectively). Sociodemographic variables (9/48) were reported significantly less frequently than age and sex or gender (48/48) (P < .001). Conclusions: This study found that sociodemographic variables in FAI and hip arthroscopy RCTs are reported with much lower frequency than age and sex or gender. These findings may demonstrate the need to include patient sociodemographic data in RCTs so that their results can be better generalized and applied to the appropriate patient population. Level of Evidence: Level II, systematic review of level I and II evidence.

Reporting Bias is Highly Prevalent in Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Platelet Rich Plasma Injections for Hip Osteoarthritis.

Purpose: To describe the incidence and types of spin in systematic reviews of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for hip osteoarthritis (OA) and to determine whether patterns in study characteristics could be identified among studies with identifiable spin. Methods: The PubMed, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases were queried. Inclusion criteria were systematic reviews or meta-analyses that included an assessment of intra-articular PRP injections as a stand-alone treatment for hip OA. Two authors independently assessed the presence of spin in the included studies and recorded general study characteristics. The prevalence of the 15 different categories of spin was quantified using descriptive statistics. Results: Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria for this study. All studies contained at least two types of spin (range 2-9), with a median of 2. The most common type of spin was type 14 ("Failure to report a wide confidence interval of estimates"), which was observed in 10 studies. The second most common type of spin was type 13 ("Failure to specify the direction of the effect when it favors the control intervention"), found in 6 studies. Conclusions: Spin is highly prevalent in abstracts of systematic reviews of PRP in the treatment of hip OA. Several associations were found between spin types and the study characteristics of AMSTAR 2 rating, Scopus CiteScore, journal impact factor, and PROSPERO preregistration. When present, spin in the abstracts of reviewed studies tended to favor the use of PRP in hip osteoarthritis. Clinical Relevance: It is important to understand the prevalence of spin in published abstracts, especially in areas of great impact or interest, so authors and readers can have a greater awareness of this potential form of bias.

Reporting Bias in the Form of Positive Spin Is Highly Prevalent in Abstracts of Systematic Reviews on Primary Repair of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament.

PURPOSE: To analyze reporting bias in the form of spin present in systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the topic of primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair. METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed throughout this study. Peer-reviewed systematic reviews were collected from 3 databases (PubMed, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus), and their abstracts were assessed for the 15 most common types of spin. Articles were excluded if they were not published in English, had no evidence, were retracted, were published without an abstract, did not have full text available, or included cadaveric or nonhuman subjects. Full text quality was assessed using AMSTAR 2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews Version 2). Fisher exact tests were used to examine associations between the different types of spin and other study characteristics such as AMSTAR 2 confidence rating, study design, and level of evidence. RESULTS: Spin was present in the abstracts of 13 of 15 articles (86.7%). There were significant associations between PRISMA adherence and lower incidences of spin types 3, 6, and 8 (P = .029 for each). A critically low AMSTAR 2 confidence rating was significantly associated with an increased incidence of spin type 9 (P = .01), and a higher AMSTAR 2 score was significantly associated with decreased spin type 4 and type 5 (P = .039 and P = .048, respectively). A more recent year of publication was correlated with a lower incidence of spin type 14 (P = .044). CONCLUSIONS: Spin is present in most systematic reviews and meta-analyses regarding primary repair of the ACL, with two-thirds of abstracts spinning evidence in favor of ACL repair. Standardized guidelines including the PRISMA guidelines and the AMSTAR 2 assessment tool were negatively correlated with spin. More recently published articles were found to contain significantly less spin, as were articles published in journals with higher Clarivate Impact Factors and Scopus CiteScores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, systematic review of Level III through V studies.

Evaluation of Spin in Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques and Standard Microdiscectomies for Treating Lumbar Disc Herniation.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVES: Spin in scientific literature is defined as bias that overstates efficacy and/or underestimates harms of procedures undergoing review. While lumbar microdiscectomies (MD) are considered the gold standard for treating lumbar disc herniations (LDH), outcomes of novel procedures are being weighed against open MD. This study identifies the quantity and type of spin in systematic reviews and meta-analyses of LDH interventions. METHODS: A search was conducted on the PubMed, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases for systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating the outcomes of MD against other LDH interventions. Each included study's abstract was assessed for the presence of the 15 most common types of spin, with full texts reviewed during cases of disagreement or for clarification. Full texts were used in the assessment of study quality per AMSTAR 2. RESULTS: All 34 included studies were observed to have at least 1 form of spin, in either the abstract or full text. The most common type of spin identified was type 5 ("The conclusion claims the beneficial effect of the experimental treatment despite a high risk of bias in primary studies"), which was observed in ten studies (10/34, 29.4%). There was a statistically significant association between studies not registered with PROSPERO and the failure to satisfy AMSTAR type 2 (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Misleading reporting is the most common category of spin in literature related to LDH. Spin overwhelmingly tends to go in the positive direction, with results inappropriately favoring the efficacy or safety of an experimental intervention.

Harms reporting in randomized controlled trials underpinning the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons clinical practice guidelines for glenohumeral osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Glenohumeral osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain. As such, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has developed clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) to address the management of glenohumeral osteoarthritis. These CPG recommendations stem from the findings of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which have been shown to influence clinical decision making and health policy. Therefore, it is essential that trial outcomes, including harms data (ie, adverse events), are adequately reported. We intend to evaluate the reporting quality of harms-related data in orthopedic literature specifically relating to AAOS CPG recommendations on the management of glenohumeral osteoarthritis. METHODS: We adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) as well as guidance for reporting meta-research. The AAOS CPGs for glenohumeral osteoarthritis were obtained from orthoguidelines.org, and 2 authors independently screened the guidelines for the RCTs referenced. A total of 14 studies were identified. Data were extracted from the 14 included studies independently by the same 2 authors. Adherence to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) Extension for Harms Checklist was assessed using an 18-item scoring chart, with 1 point being awarded for meeting a checklist item and 0 points being awarded for not meeting a checklist item. Descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, percentages, and 95% confidence intervals were used to summarize RCT adherence to the CONSORT checklist. RESULTS: The average score among the studies included was 7.36/18 items (39% adherence). No study adhered to all criteria, with the highest-performing study meeting 11 of 18 items (58%) and the lowest meeting 3 of 18 items (16%). A positive correlation between checklist score and year of publication was observed, with studies published more recently receiving a higher score on the CONSORT checklist (P < .05). Studies that disclosed funding information received a higher score than those that did not (P < .05), but there was no significant difference when the different funding sources were compared. Finally, double-blinded studies scored higher on the checklist than those with lower levels of blinding (single or no blinding, P < .05). CONCLUSION: Adverse events are poorly reported amongst RCTs cited as supporting evidence for AAOS Management of Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis CPGs, evidenced by a CONSORT checklist compliance rate of only 41% in this study. We recommend the development of an updated checklist with information that makes it easier for authors to recognize, evaluate, and report on harms data. Additionally, we encourage authors to include information about adverse events or negative outcomes in the abstract.

The Rapid Development of Artificial Intelligence: GPT-4's Performance on Orthopedic Surgery Board Questions.

Advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning models, like Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT), have occurred at a remarkably fast rate. OpenAI released its newest model of ChatGPT, GPT-4, in March 2023. It offers a wide range of medical applications. The model has demonstrated notable proficiency on many medical board examinations. This study sought to assess GPT-4's performance on the Orthopaedic In-Training Examination (OITE) used to prepare residents for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) Part I Examination. The data gathered from GPT-4's performance were additionally compared with the data of the previous iteration of ChatGPT, GPT-3.5, which was released 4 months before GPT-4. GPT-4 correctly answered 251 of the 396 attempted questions (63.4%), whereas GPT-3.5 correctly answered 46.3% of 410 attempted questions. GPT-4 was significantly more accurate than GPT-3.5 on orthopedic board-style questions (P<.00001). GPT-4's performance is most comparable to that of an average third-year orthopedic surgery resident, while GPT-3.5 performed below an average orthopedic intern. GPT-4's overall accuracy was just below the approximate threshold that indicates a likely pass on the ABOS Part I Examination. Our results demonstrate significant improvements in OpenAI's newest model, GPT-4. Future studies should assess potential clinical applications as AI models continue to be trained on larger data sets and offer more capabilities. [Orthopedics. 2024;47(2):e85-e89.].

Shoulder arthroplasty for inflammatory arthritis is associated with higher rates of medical and surgical complications: a nationwide matched cohort analysis from 2016-2020.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory arthritis (IA) represents a less common indication for anatomic and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) than osteoarthritis (OA). The safety and efficacy of anatomic and reverse TSA in this population has not been as well studied compared to OA. We analyzed the differences in outcomes between IA and OA patients undergoing TSA. METHODS: Patients who underwent primary anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) from 2016-2020 were identified in the Premier Healthcare Database. Inflammatory arthritis (IA) patients were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, diagnosis codes and compared to osteoarthritis controls. Patients were matched in a 1:8 fashion by age (±3 years), sex, race, and presence of pertinent comorbidities. Patient demographics, hospital factors, and patient comorbidities were compared. Multivariate regression was performed following matching to account for any residual confounding and 90-day complications were compared between the 2 cohorts. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were employed with significance set at P < .05. RESULTS: Prior to matching, 5685 IA cases and 93,539 OA controls were identified. Patients with IA were more likely to be female, have prolonged length of stay and increased total costs (P < .0001). After matching and multivariate analysis, 4082 IA cases and 32,656 controls remained. IA patients were at increased risk of deep wound infection (OR 3.14, 95% CI 1.38-7.16, P = .006), implant loosening (OR 4.11, 95% CI 1.17-14.40, P = .027), and mechanical complications (OR 6.34, 95% CI 1.05-38.20, P = .044), as well as a decreased risk of postoperative stiffness (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.16-0.83, P = .002). Medically, IA patients were at increased risk of PE (OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.52-5.77, P = .001) and acute blood loss anemia (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.12-1.44, P < .0001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Inflammatory arthritis represents a distinctly morbid risk profile compared to osteoarthritis patients with multiple increased surgical and postoperative medical complications in patients undergoing aTSA and rTSA. Surgeons should consider these potential complications and employ a multidisciplinary approach in preoperative risk stratification of IA undergoing shoulder replacement.

Evaluation of spin in reviews of biodegradable balloon spacers for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.

HYPOTHESIS: Clinical studies are often at risk of spin, a form of bias where beneficial claims are overstated while negative findings are minimized or dismissed. Spin is often more problematic in abstracts given their brevity and can result in the misrepresentation of a study's actual findings. The goal of this study is to aggregate primary and secondary studies reporting the clinical outcomes of the use of subacromial balloon spacers in the treatment of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears to identify the incidence of spin and find any significant association with study design parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Independent searches were completed on 2 databases (PubMed and Embase) for primary studies, systematic and current concepts reviews, and meta-analyses and the results were compiled. Two authors independently screened the studies using a predetermined inclusion criteria and aggregated data including titles, publication journals and years, authors, study design, etc. Each study was independently assessed for the presence of 15 different types of spin. Statistical analysis was conducted to identify associations between study characteristics and spin. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria for our analysis, of which 10 were reviews or meta-analyses and 19 were primary studies. Spin was identified in every study except for 2 (27/29, 93.1%). Type 3 spin, "Selective reporting of or overemphasis on efficacy outcomes or analysis favoring the beneficial effect of the experimental intervention" and type 9 spin, "Conclusion claims the beneficial effect of the experimental treatment despite reporting bias" were most frequently noted in our study, both observed in 12/29 studies (41.4%). Date of publication, and adherence to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses or "The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews" were study characteristics associated with a higher rate of certain types of spin. There was a statistically significant association between disclosure of external study funding source and the presence of spin type 4, but none of the other forms of spin. CONCLUSION: Spin is highly prevalent in the abstracts of primary studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses discussing the use of subacromial balloon spacer technology in the treatment of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. Our findings revealed that spin in the abstract tended to favor the balloon spacer intervention. Further efforts are required in the future to mitigate spin within the abstracts of published manuscripts.

Understanding the Match: The Effect of Signaling, Demographics, and Applicant Characteristics on Match Success in the Orthopaedic Residency Application Process.

INTRODUCTION: As of the 2022 to 2023 match cycle, orthopaedic residency programs began offering applicants 30 signals as part of a preference signaling program. Many have assumed that signals would become powerful tools in the match process, yet no objective data currently exist analyzing their effect. This study aims to provide such analysis while also offering comparisons with other factors affecting match success. METHODS: Self-reported survey data on applicants and applications from 2017 to 2023 from the Texas Seeking Transparency in Application to Residency database were queried. Variables associated with receiving interviews and match success were analyzed using two-sided Student t -tests, chi-squared tests, variance ratio testing, and receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: Compared with 2017 to 2022, 2023 applicants submitted fewer applications (61.8 versus 78; P < 0.001), received fewer interview offers (11.6 versus 13.8; P < 0.001), and interview offers were spread more evenly among applicants (SD, 6.82 versus 9.10; P < 0.001). For 2023 applications, odds of securing an interview were increased most by away rotations (odds ratios [OR] 61.8; P < 0.001), use of a signal (OR, 9.61; P < 0.001), and geographic connection (OR, 4.70; P < 0.001). Female applicants received more interview offers from signaled programs than their male counterparts (11.2 versus 8.94; P = 0.003). Applicant variables most predictive of match success in 2023 were interview offers (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.802), step 2 CK score (AUC = 0.673), and step 1 score (AUC = 0.648). DISCUSSION: The preference signaling program seems to be accomplishing its goals of reducing applications and more evenly distributing interviews. Away rotations, signals, and geographic connections represent the strongest predictors of applications resulting in a successful match. Applicants must use their signals carefully to maximize their chance of success. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Ten Pearls for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a common orthopaedic procedure that has continued to evolve. Since it is a complex procedure, it carries a risk of a range of complications. To ensure optimal results, there are many important considerations to take such as the choice of graft, tunnel positioning, graft preparation, and many others. In this technical note, we elucidate our top 10 pearls to consider for a successful ACL reconstruction.

Evaluation of spin in systematic reviews on the use of tendon transfer for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.

PURPOSE: To identify, describe and account for the incidence of spin in systematic reviews and meta-analyses of tendon transfer for the treatment of massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears. The secondary objective was to characterize the studies in which spin was identified and to determine whether identifiable patterns exist among studies with spin. METHODS: This study was conducted per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Each abstract was assessed for the presence of the 15 most common types of spin derived from a previously established methodology. General data that were extracted included study title, authors, publication year, journal, level of evidence, study design, funding source, reported adherence to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, preregistration of the study protocol, and methodologic quality per A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews Version 2 (AMSTAR 2). RESULTS: The search yielded 53 articles, of which 13 were included in the final analysis. Articles were excluded if they were not published in a peer reviewed journal, not written in English, utilized cadaveric or nonhuman models, or lacked an abstract with accessible full text. 53.8% (7/13) of the included studies contained at least 1 type of spin in the abstract. Type 5 spin ("The conclusion claims beneficial effect of the experimental treatment despite a high risk of bias in primary studies") was the most common, appearing in 23.1% (3/13) of included abstracts. Nine of the spin categories did not appear in any of the included abstracts. A lower AMSTAR 2 score was significantly associated with the presence of spin in the abstract (P < .006). CONCLUSION: Spin is highly prevalent in the abstracts of systematic reviews and meta-analyses concerning tendon transfer for massive rotator cuff tears. A lower overall AMSTAR 2 rating was associated with a higher incidence of spin. Future studies should continue to explore the prevalence of spin in orthopedic literature and identify any factors that may contribute to its presence.