Walking test outcomes in adults with genetic neuromuscular diseases: a systematic literature review of their measurement properties.

INTRODUCTION: Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) include a large group of heterogeneous diseases. NMDs frequently involve gait disorders, which affect quality of life. Several walking tests and tools have been described in the literature, but there is no consensus regarding the use of walking tests and tools in NMDs or of their measurement properties for walking outcomes. The aim of this review is to present an overview of walking tests, including their measurement properties when used in adults with inherited or genetic NMDs. The aim is to help clinicians and researchers choose the most appropriate test for their objective. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic review was conducted after consulting MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Science direct, Google Scholar and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases for published studies in which walking outcome measurement properties were assessed. The validity, reliability, measurement error and responsiveness properties were evaluated in terms of statistical methods and methodological design qualities using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) guidelines. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: We included 46 studies in NMDs. These studies included 15 different walking tests and a wide variety of walking outcomes, assessed with six types of walking tools. Overall, the 6MWT was the most studied test in terms of measurement properties. The methodological design and statistical methods of most studies evaluating construct validity, reliability and measurement error were "very good." The majority of outcome measurements were valid and reliable. However, studies on responsiveness as minimal important difference or minimal important change were lacking or were found to have inadequate methodological and statistical methods according to the COSMIN guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Most walking outcomes were found to be valid and reliable in NMDs. However, in view of the growing number of clinical trials, further studies are needed to clarify additional measurement properties.

Role of the interstitium during septic shock: a key to the understanding of fluid dynamics?

BACKGROUND: While not traditionally included in the conceptual understanding of circulation, the interstitium plays a critical role in maintaining fluid homeostasis. Fluid balance regulation is a critical aspect of septic shock, with a well-known association between fluid balance and outcome. The regulation of transcapillary flow is the first key to understand fluid homeostasis during sepsis. MAIN TEXT: Capillary permeability is increased during sepsis, and was classically considered to be necessary and sufficient to explain the increase of capillary filtration during inflammation. However, on the other side of the endothelial wall, the interstitium may play an even greater role to drive capillary leak. Indeed, the interstitial extracellular matrix forms a complex gel-like structure embedded in a collagen skeleton, and has the ability to directly attract intravascular fluid by decreasing its hydrostatic pressure. Thus, interstitium is not a mere passive reservoir, as was long thought, but is probably major determinant of fluid balance regulation during sepsis. Up to this date though, the role of the interstitium during sepsis and septic shock has been largely overlooked. A comprehensive vision of the interstitium may enlight our understanding of septic shock pathophysiology. Overall, we have identified five potential intersections between septic shock pathophysiology and the interstitium: 1. increase of oedema formation, interacting with organ function and metabolites diffusion; 2. interstitial pressure regulation, increasing transcapillary flow; 3. alteration of the extracellular matrix; 4. interstitial secretion of inflammatory mediators; 5. decrease of lymphatic outflow. CONCLUSIONS: We aimed at reviewing the literature and summarizing the current knowledge along these specific axes, as well as methodological aspects related to interstitium exploration.

Influence of socio-economic status on functional recovery after ARDS caused by SARS-CoV-2: the multicentre, observational RECOVIDS study.

PURPOSE: Survivors after acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at high risk of developing respiratory sequelae and functional impairment. The healthcare crisis caused by the pandemic hit socially disadvantaged populations. We aimed to evaluate the influence of socio-economic status on respiratory sequelae after COVID-19 ARDS. METHODS: We carried out a prospective multicenter study in 30 French intensive care units (ICUs), where ARDS survivors were pre-enrolled if they fulfilled the Berlin ARDS criteria. For patients receiving high flow oxygen therapy, a flow ≥ 50 l/min and an FiO2 ≥ 50% were required for enrollment. Socio-economic deprivation was defined by an EPICES (Evaluation de la Précarité et des Inégalités de santé dans les Centres d'Examens de Santé - Evaluation of Deprivation and Inequalities in Health Examination Centres) score ≥ 30.17 and patients were included if they performed the 6-month evaluation. The primary outcome was respiratory sequelae 6 months after ICU discharge, defined by at least one of the following criteria: forced vital capacity < 80% of theoretical value, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide < 80% of theoretical value, oxygen desaturation during a 6-min walk test and fibrotic-like findings on chest computed tomography. RESULTS: Among 401 analyzable patients, 160 (40%) were socio-economically deprived and 241 (60%) non-deprived; 319 (80%) patients had respiratory sequelae 6 months after ICU discharge (81% vs 78%, deprived vs non-deprived, respectively). No significant effect of socio-economic status was identified on lung sequelae (odds ratio (OR), 1.19 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72-1.97]), even after adjustment for age, sex, most invasive respiratory support, obesity, most severe P/F ratio (adjusted OR, 1.02 [95% CI 0.57-1.83]). CONCLUSIONS: In COVID-19 ARDS survivors, socio-economic status had no significant influence on respiratory sequelae 6 months after ICU discharge.

Addition of daptomycin for the treatment of pneumococcal meningitis: protocol for the AddaMAP study.

BACKGROUND: The leading cause of acute bacterial meningitis in adults is Streptococcus pneumoniae. This infection is associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity related, among other factors, to the excessive host response to the pneumococcal lysis. Experimental in vitro and in vivo data show that the combination of corticosteroids/third-generation cephalosporins and the non-lytic antibiotic, daptomycin, has synergistic effects with (1) a rapid cerebrospinal fluid sterilisation, (2) less brain damages and (3) less loss of cognitive performances. Despite these encouraging results, daptomycin has never been evaluated in adult patients with pneumococcal meningitis. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The AddaMAP trial is a phase II, open-label, Simon's two-stage, multicentre trial that has been designed to assess the efficacy and safety of adding daptomycin (10 mg/kg/d for 8 days) to the recommended treatment (corticosteroids+third generation cephalosporin) in adults with confirmed pneumococcal meningitis. The main endpoint is the disability-free survival (defined as modified Rankin Scale mRS≤2) at day 30. Secondary outcomes are overall mortality, disability at D30 and D90 (mRS, Glasgow Coma Scale and Glasgow Outcome Scales, mini-mental score), hearing loss (Hearing Handicap Inventory Test at D30 and D90, routine audiometric test and Hearing-it test at D30), and quality of life (12-item Short Form Survey and WHO QOL BREF). Seventy-two analysable patients are required. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the IDF 1 of the ethics committee on 16 January 2018, and authorisation was obtained from the Agence Nationale de Securité des Médicaments et des Produits de Santé on 22 September 2017. The results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03480191.

Management of renal replacement therapy among adults in French intensive care units: A bedside practice evaluation.

Background: This study aimed to investigate renal replacement therapy (RRT) practices in a representative nationwide sample of French intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: From July 1 to October 5 2021, 67 French ICUs provided data regarding their ICU and RRT implementation. We used an online questionnaire to record general data about each participating ICU, including the type of hospital, number of beds, staff ratios, and RRT implementation. Each center then prospectively recorded RRT parameters from 5 consecutive acute kidney injury (AKI) patients, namely the indication, type of dialysis catheter used, type of catheter lock used, type of RRT (continuous or intermittent), the RRT parameters initially prescribed (dose, blood flow, and duration), and the anticoagulant agent used for the circuit. Results: A total of 303 patients from 67 ICUs were analyzed. Main indications for RRT were oligo-anuria (57.4%), metabolic acidosis (52.1%), and increased plasma urea levels (47.9%). The commonest insertion site was the right internal jugular (45.2%). In 71.0% of cases, the dialysis catheter was inserted by a resident. Ultrasound guidance was used in 97.0% and isovolumic connection in 90.1%. Citrate, unfractionated heparin, and saline were used as catheter locks in 46.9%, 24.1%, and 21.1% of cases, respectively. Conclusions: Practices in French ICUs are largely compliant with current national guidelines and international literature. The findings should be interpreted in light of the limitations inherent to this type of study.

Team-family conflicts over end-of-life decisions in ICU: A survey of French physicians' beliefs.

INTRODUCTION: Conflicts between relatives and physicians may arise when decisions are being made about limiting life-sustaining therapies (LST). The aim of this study was to describe the motives for, and management of team-family conflicts surrounding LST limitation decisions in French adult ICUs. METHODS: Between June and October 2021, French ICU physicians were invited to answer a questionnaire. The development of the questionnaire followed a validated methodology with the collaboration of consultants in clinical ethics, a sociologist, a statistician and ICU clinicians. RESULTS: Among 186 physicians contacted, 160 (86%) answered all the questions. Conflicts over LST limitation decisions were mainly related to requests by relatives to continue treatments considered to be unreasonably obstinate by ICU physicians. The absence of advance directives, a lack of communication, a multitude of relatives, and religious or cultural issues were frequently mentioned as factors contributing to conflicts. Iterative interviews with relatives and proposal of psychological support were the most widely used tools in attempting to resolve conflict, while the intervention of a palliative care team, a local ethics resource or the hospital mediator were rarely solicited. In most cases, the decision was suspended at least temporarily. Possible consequences include stress and psychological exhaustion among caregivers. Improving communication and anticipation by knowing the patient's wishes would help avoid these conflicts. CONCLUSION: Team-family conflicts during LST limitation decisions are mainly related to requests from relatives to continue treatments deemed unreasonable by physicians. Reflection on the role of relatives in the decision-making process seems essential for the future.

Non-beneficial admission to the intensive care unit: A nationwide survey of practices.

INTRODUCTION: In a nationwide survey of practices, we sought to define the criteria, circumstances and consequences of non-beneficial admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU), with a view to proposing measures to avoid such situations. METHODS: ICU physicians from a French research in ethics network participated in an online survey. The first part recorded age, sex, and years' experience of the participants. In the second part, there were 8 to 12 proposals on each of 4 main domains: (1) What criteria could be used to qualify an ICU stay as non-beneficial? (2) What circumstances result in the admission of a patient whose ICU stay may later be deemed non-beneficial? (3) What are the consequences of a non-beneficial stay in the ICU? (4) What measures could be implemented to avoid admissions that later come to be considered as non-beneficial? Responses were on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "Strongly disagree" to "Strongly agree". RESULTS: Among 164 physicians contacted, 154 (94%) responded. The majority cited several criteria used to qualify a stay as non-beneficial. Similarly, >80% cited several possible circumstances that could result in non-beneficial admissions, including lack of knowledge of the case and the patient's history, and failure to anticipate acute deterioration. Possible consequences of non-beneficial stays included stress and anxiety for the patient/family, misunderstandings and conflict. Discussing the utility of possible ICU admission in the framework of the patient's overall healthcare goals was hailed as a means to prevent non-beneficial admissions. CONCLUSION: The results of this survey suggest that joint discussions should take place during the patient's healthcare trajectory, before the acute need for ICU arises, with a view to limiting or avoiding ICU stays that may later come to be deemed "non-beneficial".

Anxiety in bipolar disorder: A review of publication trends.

BACKGROUND: Although anxiety is highly prevalent in people with bipolar disorders and has deleterious impact on the course of the illness, past reviews have shown that many aspects of the topic remain under-researched. This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature addressing anxiety in bipolar disorder (A-BD) between 2011 and 2020, assess if the interest in the topic has increased over the period and map the publication trends. METHODS: Three databases were systematically searched, and all articles were screened at the title/abstract and full text level based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of these, 1099 articles were included in the study. The annual number of articles on A-BD published between 2011 and 2020 was calculated and articles addressing it as a primary topic (n = 310) were classified into 4 categories and 11 subcategories to identify gaps in the knowledge. RESULTS: The results show no clear increase in the number of annual publications during the period and much of the available literature is of a descriptive nature. Less is known about the processes underlying the comorbidity and about treatment approaches. LIMITATIONS: Given the large scope of the research question, no quality assessment of the evidence was made. Only articles in English or French were considered. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the need to change the focus of research efforts to better understand and address this unique set of conditions in clinical settings.

Functional recovery after total hip/knee replacement in obese people: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have investigated the influence of body mass index (BMI) on functional gain after total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) in osteoarthritis, with contradictory results. This systematic literature review was conducted to ascertain whether obesity affects functional recovery after THR or TKR in the short (<1 year), medium (<3 years) and long term (>3 years). METHODS: The study was registered with PROSPERO and conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic literature search was conducted across Medline and EMBASE databases for articles published between 1980 and 2020 that investigated patient-reported measures of functional recovery after THR and TKR in participants with osteoarthritis and obesity (defined as BMI ≥30 kg/m2). RESULTS: Twenty-six articles reporting on 68,840 persons (34,955 for THR and 33,885 for TKR) were included in the final analysis: 5 case-control studies, 21 cohort studies (9 for THR only, 10 for TKR only and 2 for both). The average minimum follow-up was 36.4 months, ranging from 6 weeks to 10 years. Most studies found significantly lower pre-operative patient-reported functional scores for participants with obesity. After THR, there was a small difference in functional recovery in favor of those without obesity in the short term (<6 months), but the difference remained below the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) threshold and disappeared in the medium and long term. After TKR, functional recovery was better for those with obesity than those without in the first year, similar until the third year, and then decreased thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is a paucity of high-quality evidence, our findings show substantial functional gains in people with obesity after total joint replacement. Functional recovery after THR or TKR does not significantly differ, or only slightly differs, between those with and without obesity, and the difference in functional gain is not clinically important. PROSPERO NUMBER: CRD42018112919.

Endotracheal tube biofilm in critically ill patients during the COVID-19 pandemic : description of an underestimated microbiological compartment.

Biofilm (BF) growth is believed to play a major role in the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the intensive care unit. Despite concerted efforts to understand the potential implication of endotracheal tube (ETT)-BF dispersal, clinically relevant data are lacking to better characterize the impact of its mesostructure and microbiological singularity on the occurrence of VAP. We conducted a multicenter, retrospective observational study during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, between March and May 2021. In total, 64 ETTs collected from 61 patients were included in the present BIOPAVIR study. Confocal microscopy acquisitions revealed two main morphological aspects of ETT-deposited BF: (1) a thin, continuous ribbon-shaped aspect, less likely monobacterial and predominantly associated with Enterobacter spp., Streptococcus pneumoniae or Viridans streptococci, and (2) a thicker, discontinuous, mushroom-shaped appearance, more likely characterized by the association of bacterial and fungal species in respiratory samples. The microbiological characterization of ETT-deposited BF found higher acquired resistance in more than 80% of analyzed BF phenotypes, compared to other colonization sites from the patient's environment. These findings reveal BF as a singular microbiological compartment, and are of added clinical value, with a view to future ETT-deposited BF-based antimicrobial stewardship in critically ill patients. Trial registration NCT04926493. Retrospectively registered 15 June 2021.

Impact of Smoking on Functional Prognosis after Ischemic Stroke according to Deprivation: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Smoking influence on poststroke prognosis remains controversial. These conflicting results could be due to some residual confounding factors not fully considered in previous studies, including social deprivation. This study aimed to assess the joint impact of deprivation and smoking on functional outcomes after ischemic stroke. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2014, 1,573 patients with a first-ever stroke were prospectively included in the French multicenter INDIA ("Inegalites sociales et pronostic des accidents vasculaires cerebraux à Dijon et Antilles-Guyane") cohort study. Patients with ischemic stroke and available data on smoking, deprivation, and outcome were considered for the analysis (n = 1,242). Deprivation was assessed using the EPICES "Evaluation de la Précarité et des Inégalites de santé dans les Centres d'Examen de Santé" score. Primary outcome was functional outcome assessed with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 12 months. Association between smoking and moderate to severe disability (mRS score ≥3) was evaluated with logistic regression model. Interactions between smoking and deprivation were tested. RESULTS: Smokers (n = 189, 15.2%) were younger and more often deprived (EPICES score ≥30.17) than nonsmokers. A significant interaction was found between smoking status and deprivation on disability (p = 0.003). In nondeprived patients, the odds of moderate to severe disability at 12 months were twice as high in smokers as in nonsmokers (adjusted OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.04-4.18). This association was not observed in deprived patients (adjusted OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.49-1.61). CONCLUSION: The effect of smoking on functional prognosis after ischemic stroke varied according to deprivation status, with poorer outcomes observed in nondeprived patients.

Benefit of a flash dose of corticosteroids in digestive surgical oncology: a multicenter, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial (CORTIFRENCH).

BACKGROUND: The modulation of perioperative inflammation seems crucial to improve postoperative morbidity and cancer-related outcomes in patients undergoing oncological surgery. Data from the literature suggest that perioperative corticosteroids decrease inflammatory markers and might be associated with fewer complications in esophageal, liver, pancreatic and colorectal surgery. Their benefit on cancer-related outcomes has not been assessed. METHODS: The CORTIFRENCH trial is a phase III multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial to assess the impact of a flash dose of preoperative corticosteroids versus placebo on postoperative morbidity and cancer-related outcomes after elective curative-intent surgery for digestive cancer. The primary endpoint is the frequency of patients with postoperative major complications occurring within 30 days after surgery (defined as all complications with Clavien-Dindo grade > 2). The secondary endpoints are the overall survival at 3 years, the disease-free survival at 3 years, the frequency of patients with intraabdominal infections and postoperative infections within 30 days after surgery and the hospital length of stay. We hypothesize a reduced risk of major complications and a better disease-survival at 3 years in the experimental group. Allowing for 5% of drop-out, 1 200 patients (600 per arm) should be included. DISCUSSION: This will be the first trial focusing on the impact of perioperative corticosteroids on cancer related outcomes. If significant, it might be a strong improvement on oncological outcomes for patients undergoing surgery for digestive cancers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03875690, Registered on March 15, 2019, URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03875690 .

Dexmedetomidine to reduce vasopressor resistance in refractory septic shock: Protocol for a double-blind randomized controlled pilot trial (ADRESS Pilot study).

Introduction: Refractory septic shock (RSS) is characterized by high vasopressor requirements, as a consequence of vasopressor resistance, which may be caused or enhanced by sympathetic hyperactivation. Experimental models and clinical trials show a reduction in vasopressor requirements and improved microcirculation compared to conventional sedation. Dexmedetomidine did not reduce mortality in clinical trials, but few septic shock patients were enrolled. This pilot trial aims to evaluate vasopressor re-sensitization with dexmedetomidine and assess the effect size, in order to design a larger trial. Methods: This is an investigator-initiated, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, comparing dexmedetomidine versus placebo in RSS patients with norepinephrine dose ≥0.5µg/kg/min. The primary outcome is blood pressure response to phenylephrine challenge, 6 hours after completion of a first challenge, after study treatment initiation. Secondary outcomes include feasibility and safety outcomes (bradycardia), mortality, vasopressor requirements, heart rate variability, plasma and urine catecholamines levels. The sample size is estimated at 32 patients to show a 20% improvement in blood pressure response to phenylephrine. Randomization (1:1) will be stratified by center, sedation type and presence of liver cirrhosis. Blood pressure and ECG will be continuously recorded for the first 24 h, enabling high-quality data collection for the primary and secondary endpoints. The study was approved by the ethics committee "Sud-Est VI" (2019-000726-22) and patients will be included after informed consent. Discussion: The present study will be the first randomized trial to specifically address the hemodynamic effects of dexmedetomidine in patients with septic shock. We implement a high-quality process for data acquisition and recording in the first 24 h, ensuring maximal quality for the evaluation of both efficacy and safety outcomes, as well as transparency of results. The results of the study will be used to elaborate a full-scale randomized controlled trial with mortality as primary outcome in RSS patients. Trial registration: Registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03953677). Registered 16 May 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03953677.

A Prospective Comparative Study of Health Inequalities and the Epidemiology of Stroke in French Guiana and Dijon, France.

Background: In French Guiana poverty is widespread and specialized care is lacking. We aimed to compare strokes between precarious and non-precarious patients within French Guiana and to compare the epidemiology of ischemic strokes and their outcomes between French Guiana and mainland France. Methods: A multicenter prospective cohort examined the influence of social inequalities on stroke characteristics. Consecutive patients aged > 18 years admitted for an acute ischemic stroke, confirmed by neuroimaging were eligible. Exclusion criteria were a history of symptomatic stroke, presence of other short-term life-threatening diseases and inability to contact patients by telephone during follow-up. Social deprivation was measured using the EPICES score, which is based on a multidimensional questionnaire. Results: Overall, 652 patients with ischemic stroke were included. The patients in French Guiana were 7 years younger, were more frequently male, of sub-Saharan ancestry, they had a low level of education, and were more often precarious (67.7%) than the patients included in Dijon (39.2%). The origin of the ischemic stroke was predominantly lacunar for patients included in French Guiana and cardioembolic for patients included in Dijon, with greater severity for patients included in Dijon. The proportion of patients with known pre-stroke hypertension, diabetes, or a history of Transient Ischemic Accident was greater in French Guiana than in Dijon. In contrast, hypercholesterolemia, atrial fibrillation, and history of Myocardial Infarction were more frequently found in patients included in Dijon than in patients included in French Guiana. Fibrinolysis was less frequent in French Guiana than in Dijon, 24% of patients arriving early enough receiving thrombolysis in French Guiana vs. 45% in Dijon, P < 0.0001. However, after adjustment for patient characteristics, the effect of the center on the use of fibrinolysis disappeared. When comparing precarious and non-precarious patients within French Guiana, the main difference was the younger age and the lower mortality of precarious patients-notably immigrants. Conclusion: Precariousness was widespread in French Guiana. Within French Guiana, despite a younger age among foreigners than French patients, the risk factors, mechanisms, and outcomes were homogenous across socioeconomic strata. The observed differences between the two contrasted French territories suggested that, beyond health inequalities, the epidemiology of cardiovascular risk factors may differ between French Guiana and mainland France.

Influence of socioeconomic status on functional recovery after ARDS caused by SARS-CoV-2: a multicentre, observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Prognosis of patients with COVID-19 depends on the severity of the pulmonary affection. The most severe cases may progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is associated with a risk of long-term repercussions on respiratory function and neuromuscular outcomes. The functional repercussions of severe forms of COVID-19 may have a major impact on quality of life, and impair the ability to return to work or exercise. Social inequalities in healthcare may influence prognosis, with socially vulnerable individuals more likely to develop severe forms of disease. We describe here the protocol for a prospective, multicentre study that aims to investigate the influence of social vulnerability on functional recovery in patients who were hospitalised in intensive care for ARDS caused by COVID-19. This study will also include an embedded qualitative study that aims to describe facilitators and barriers to compliance with rehabilitation, describe patients' health practices and identify social representations of health, disease and care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The "Functional Recovery From Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Due to COVID-19: Influence of Socio-Economic Status" (RECOVIDS) study is a mixed-methods, observational, multicentre cohort study performed during the routine follow-up of post-intensive care unit (ICU) functional recovery after ARDS. All patients admitted to a participating ICU for PCR-proven SARS-CoV-2 infection and who underwent chest CT scan at the initial phase AND who received respiratory support (mechanical or not) or high-flow nasal oxygen, AND had ARDS diagnosed by the Berlin criteria will be eligible. The primary outcome is the presence of lung sequelae at 6 months after ICU discharge, defined either by alterations on pulmonary function tests, oxygen desaturation during a standardised 6 min walk test or fibrosis-like pulmonary findings on chest CT. Patients will be considered to be socially disadvantaged if they have an "Evaluation de la Précarité et des Inégalités de santé dans les Centres d'Examen de Santé" (EPICES) score ≥30.17 at inclusion. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol and the informed consent form were approved by an independent ethics committee (Comité de Protection des Personnes Sud Méditerranée II) on 10 July 2020 (2020-A02014-35). All patients will provide informed consent before participation. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international congresses. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04556513.

Measuring threshold and latency of motion perception on a swinging bed.

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to develop and to evaluate a system to measure latency and threshold of pendular motion perception based on a swinging bed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 30 healthy adults (age: 32 ± 12 years). All subjects were tested twice with a 10 min. interval. A second trial was conducted 2 to 15 days after. A rehabilitation swinging bed was connected to an electronic device emitting a beep at the beginning of each oscillation phase with an adjustable time lag. Subjects were blindfolded and auditory cues other than the beep were minimized. The acceleration threshold was measured by letting the bed oscillate freely until a natural break and asking the patient when he did not perceive any motion. The perception latency was determined by asking the patient to indicate whether the beep and the peak of each oscillation were synchronous. The time lag between sound and peak of the head position was swept from -750 to +750 ms by 50 ms increments. RESULTS: The mean acceleration threshold was 9.2±4.60 cm/s2. The range width of the synchronous perception interval was estimated as 535±190 ms. The point of subjective synchronicity defined as the center of this interval was -195±106 ms (n = 30). The test-retest evaluation in the same trial showed an acceptable reproducibility for the acceleration threshold and good to excellent for all parameters related to sound-movement latency. CONCLUSION: Swinging bed combined to sound stimulation can provide reproducible information on movement perception in a simple and non-invasive manner with highly reproducible results.

Dynamic global sagittal alignment in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: Analysis of the effects of decompression surgery on gait adaptations.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) leads patients to adapt their posture and walking parameters. Pelvic retroversion might be a compensation mechanism of pain. Pelvic and lower limbs compensations during gait are still not precisely understood, as well as the effect of a surgical decompression on them. These dynamic parameters can be studied through three-dimensional gait analysis. RESEARCH QUESTION: Is the dynamic pelvic tilt modified after decompression surgery in LSS patients compared to asymptomatic subjects? MATERIAL AND METHODS: 50 asymptomatic subjects (C-group) and 37 patients operated on for lumbar decompression underwent a three-dimensional gait analysis one month before (M0) and six months after (M6) the surgery. 3D gait analysis was performed and hip and knee flexion, trunk kinematics, walking speed, stride length and pelvic tilt during gait or dynamic pelvic tilt (dPT) were recorded. Health-related quality of life (HRQL) scores (Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analogic Scales (VAS)) and radiological assessment were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean values of maximum and minimum dPT in the LSS-group preoperatively were significantly higher compared to the C-group (respectively 10.9 (6.2)° versus 7.3 (5.6)°, p = 0.003; 7.7 (6.1)° versus 4.8 (5.8)°, p = 0.011), and were significantly lowered at M6 (respectively 10.9 (6.2)° versus 8.1 (4.8)°, p = 0.0087; and 7.7 (6.1)° versus 5.1 (4.7)°, p = 0.012), and became similar to the C-group. The dPT range of motion at M0 and M6 were similar, and were both significantly higher than control values. Mean values of maximum and minimum hip flexion were significantly higher at M0 compared to the C-group, and were significantly lowered at M6. No difference was found between the pre- and postoperative radiographic pelvic tilt. The VAS for lumbar pain, the VAS for radicular pain and the ODI were significantly decreased at M6. SIGNIFICANCE: Compared to asymptomatic people, LSS patients walked with a pelvic anteversion, a hip flessum and a knee flessum before surgery, which tended to disappear after the surgical decompression. These differences were not noticed on static radiographs.

Is the Short and Fast Step Test a safe and feasible tool for exploring anaerobic capacities of individuals with coronary heart disease in clinical practice?

BACKGROUND: While its importance in daily living, the anaerobic metabolism is not taken into account in clinical practice. The lack of validated functional performance tests for patients with chronic disabilities may explain this defect. In this context, the Short and Fast Step Test (SFST) was recently developed and validated in healthy volunteers. AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety, feasibility and reliability of the SFST, a functional test exploring anaerobic metabolism in coronary patients during cardiac rehabilitation. DESIGN: This study was a monocentric prospective study. SETTING: This study took place in the rehabilitation center of the University Hospital Center of Dijon, France. POPULATION: Forty-four coronary patients addressed for a first cardiac rehabilitation were included in this protocol. METHODS: All participants performed three SFST: T1 and T2 (including respiratory gas exchange) the first day of the program and T3 after 3 to 7 days. SFST consists of walking up and down a 17.5 cm-high step as many times as possible in 1 minute. Safety was assessed by the percentage of patients who performed the SFST without reporting a fall, or muscular or cardiovascular events. Feasibility was evaluated by the percentage of patients who succeeded in doing the SFST. Reliability was assessed with the number of raised steps in same condition (T1-T3) and different conditions (T1-T2) using a 2-way intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Values were given with their 90% confidence interval [90% CI]. RESULTS: The safety was 95.2% [85.8-99.2] for T1, 88.1% [76.6-95.2] for T2 and 90.4% [79.5-96.7] for T3. 100% [93.1-100] of participants completed T1 and T2, 92.9% [82.6-98] T3. An ICC of 0.74 [0.60-0.84] was observed between T1 and T3 and of 0.87 [0.79-0.92] between T1 and T2. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the good safety, feasibility and reliability of the SFST to assess anaerobic metabolism in coronary patients in a rehabilitation program. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: These results show that the SFST seems suitable for the evaluation of brief submaximal functional capacity in daily activities. It offers a real possibility to assess such capacity during the cardiac rehabilitation routine.