Spiral Oblique Retinacular Ligament Procedure Using Flexor Digitorum Profundus Hemi-Tendon Transfer: Anatomical Basis and Clinical Application.

PURPOSE: The spiral oblique retinacular ligament (SORL) procedure acts as a dynamic tenodesis to restore distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) extension and restrain proximal interphalangeal hyperextension. Despite the ingenious technique based on the oblique retinacular ligament anatomy, obtaining strong internal fixation remains an issue during the SORL procedure. We present a modified technique using the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) hemi-tendon transfer. METHODS: We dissected 5 fresh cadaveric specimens to evaluate morphometric parameters of the SORL procedure using the hemi-FDP. The volar groove of the FDP tendon was identified in zone I of the flexor sheath and the tendon was divided into radial and ulnar bundles. The selected hemi-tendon was divided at the proximal edge of the A1 pulley and a SORL procedure was performed through a transosseous tunnel in the distal phalanx. This technique was used in 3 patients with swan neck deformity. RESULTS: The optimal distance between the DIP joint and the anterior drill hole of the transosseous tunnel was 7.6 mm (range, 6.8-8.5 mm). The relative loss of length of the tendon owing to the SORL path was 25.8 mm (range, 19.6-29.9 mm). In the clinical cases, the procedure improved DIP joint extension lag and prevented proximal interphalangeal joint hyperextension. Preserving one-half of the FDP allowed complete flexion of the DIP joint. CONCLUSIONS: The procedure is technically feasible. Its main advantages are that a distal suture is not required and that the substantial length of the tendon allows sturdy proximal internal fixation. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic V.

Sex-specific differences in cardiovascular risk factors and blood pressure control in hypertensive patients.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiovascular risk factors are frequently undertreated in women. However, it is unclear whether the prevalence of additional cardiovascular risk factors and the total cardiovascular risk differ between hypertensive men and women. There are also limited data regarding rates of blood pressure control in the two sexes outside the United States. The authors aimed to compare the cardiovascular risk profile between sexes. A total of 1810 hypertensive patients (40.4% men, age 56.5±13.5 years) attending the hypertension outpatient clinic of our department were studied. Men were more frequently smokers than women and were more heavy smokers than the latter. Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower and serum triglyceride levels were higher in men. On the other hand, abdominal obesity and chronic kidney disease were more prevalent in women. The estimated cardiovascular risk was higher in men than in women but the prevalence of established CVD did not differ between the sexes. The percentage of patients with controlled hypertension and the number of antihypertensive medications were similar in men and women. In conclusion, hypertensive men have more adverse cardiovascular risk factor profile and greater estimated cardiovascular risk than women. However, the prevalence of established CVD does not differ between sexes. These findings further reinforce current guidelines that recommend that management of hypertension and of other cardiovascular risk factors should be as aggressive in women as in men in order to prevent cardiovascular events.

Prevalence of resistant hypertension in 1810 patients followed up in a specialized outpatient clinic and its association with the metabolic syndrome.

UNLABELLED: We aimed to assess the prevalence of resistant hypertension (RH) in patients attending hypertension outpatient clinics and to identify risk factors for RH. We studied the medical records of the last visit of all patients (n = 1810; 40.4% males, age 56.5 ± 13.5 years) who attended at least once our hypertension outpatient clinic during the last decade. RH was defined as blood pressure (BP) > 140/90 mmHg in patients without diabetes or chronic kidney disease (or BP > 130/80 mmHg in patients with the latter diseases) despite treatment with full doses of three antihypertensive agents from different classes or controlled BP on four or more different antihypertensive agents. The prevalence of RH was 12.3%, whereas 22.2% of the patients had well-controlled hypertension and 65.5% had uncontrolled hypertension but were on less than three antihypertensive agents. Independent predictors of RH were age (risk ratio, RR = 1.08, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.05-1.12, p < 0.001), body mass index (RR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.00-1.13, p < 0.05) and the presence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) (RR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.03-3.91, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: RH is frequent in patients followed up in hypertension outpatient clinics. In addition to age and obesity, MetS appears to be associated with increased risk for RH. Clarification of the mechanisms underpinning the association between MetS and hypertension might reduce the prevalence of RH.

Impaired fasting glucose in hypertensive patients: prevalence and cross-sectional analysis of associations with cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is frequently present in hypertensive patients and might be induced or aggravated by antihypertensive treatment. However, it is unclear whether IFG is associated with increased cardiovascular risk in this population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study in 1,810 hypertensive patients and recorded the presence of IFG, coronary heart disease (CHD), and ischemic stroke. RESULTS: IFG was present in 567 patients (31.3%). The prevalence of CHD or ischemic stroke did not differ between patients with IFG and in patients with serum glucose levels <100 mg/dL. Among patients with IFG, 267 (47.0%) were on ß-blockers, diuretics, or both ß-blockers and diuretics. The prevalence of CHD was numerically but not significantly higher in patients with IFG treated with ß-blockers or both ß-blockers and diuretics than in patients with IFG treated with diuretics or not treated with either ß-blockers or diuretics and patients with serum glucose levels <100 mg/dL (11.1%, 13.6%, 1.4%, 3.7%, and 5.9%, respectively; P=not significant). The prevalence of ischemic stroke did not differ among these groups. CONCLUSIONS: IFG does not appear to be associated with increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease in hypertensive patients, regardless if it is associated with the antihypertensive treatment or not.

Obesity and smoking in patients with schizophrenia and normal controls: a case-control study.

Cardiovascular risk factors, especially obesity and smoking are highly prevalent in patients with schizophrenia. Central obesity and the metabolic syndrome are conditions mostly attributed to the use of antipsychotic medication and lifestyle habits, and they constitute a significant health concern. Our study sample included 105 patients suffering from schizophrenia aged 36.25+/-10.03 and 156 normal control subjects aged 36.03+/-11.33. All patients were in- or out-patients of a private hospital. Clinical diagnosis was made according to DSM-IV-TR criteria. Height, weight, waist circumference and number of cigarettes smoked daily were recorded. Duration of illness was calculated based on records concerning the age of first onset of psychotic symptoms. Body Surface Area (BSA) and Body Mass Index (BMI) were calculated as well as % body fat, with the use of LifeWise Body Fat Analyzers No 63-1525. The results of analysis of variance suggested a significant main effect regarding diagnosis and sex as well as for their interaction. There were significant differences between patients and controls regarding body weight, waist circumference, BMI, BSA and % body fat, with patients, especially females, being more obese than controls. The results of the present study corroborate the increased prevalence of obesity in schizophrenia. The interpretation of this finding remains unclear.

Development of a standardized scoring method for the Graphic Sequence Test suitable for use in psychiatric populations.

Although the graphic version of the Alternating Sequences Test which was introduced by Luria exists for years little has been done to standardize it. The aim of the current study was to develop a novel and detailed standardized method of administration and scoring. The study sample included 93 normal control subjects (53 women and 40 men) aged 35.87+/-12.62 and 127 patients suffering from schizophrenia (54 women and 73 men) aged 34.07+/-9.83. The psychometric assessment included the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale the Young Mania Rating Scale, and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. A scoring method was developed and was based on the frequencies of responses of healthy controls. Cronbach alpha and test-retest and interrater reliability were very good. Two indices and 6 subscales of the Standardized Graphic Sequence Test were eventually developed. The Standardized Graphic Sequence Test seems to be a reliable, valid, and sensitive to change instrument based on Luria's graphic sequence test. The great advantage of this instrument is the fact that it is paper and pencil, easily administered and little time consuming. Further research is necessary to test its usefulness as a neuropsychologic test.