Effectiveness of a joint mobilizations protocol for shoulder subacromial pain syndrome: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Subacromial pain syndrome (SPS) is the most frequent shoulder pathology. The aims of this prospective randomized study were to evaluate the effects of some specific shoulder joint mobilizations ("spin correction"), and the effectiveness of a rehabilitation program, named Shoulder Global Concept, in SPS patients. METHODS: 45 patients with SPS were randomly assigned to two groups, to benefit from a different first session of mobilizations: the experimental group received all specific mobilizations, while the control group received the same program but without the spin correction mobilizations. The second session was identical for both groups, with all specific mobilizations. Before and after the first two sessions, range of motion (ROM) in flexion, abduction, external and internal rotations, pain and functional status with Constant score and Quick Dash were evaluated. Evaluation was repeated with 24 patients after 11 rehabilitation sessions. Rehabilitation with Shoulder Global Concept included 13 mobilizations aiming at improving the ROM with passive and active-assisted mobilizations, static stretching, and muscle strengthening. RESULTS: All ROM were improved at the end of the first session for both groups, but significantly more in the experimental group for glenohumeral (GH) abduction and external rotation (p < 0.05). Functional scores, pain and strength were significantly improved after 11 rehabilitation sessions with the Shoulder Global Concept. CONCLUSION: This manual therapy method was able to improve shoulder mobility in one session. The additional joint mobilizations (spin correction) specifically increased GH abduction and external rotation. Rehabilitation of SPS with Shoulder Global Concept allowed to improve functional capacity and decrease pain.

Use of antimigraine treatments by general practitioners.

OBJECTIVES: To assess headache treatment patterns in 2 groups: general practitioners (GPs) who suffered from migraine themselves (GP-M) and GPs having a close family member with migraine (GP-CFM). The secondary objective was to assess the impact of migraine on activities of daily living in these 2 groups. BACKGROUND: Personal experience of migraine may influence prescribing practices of physicians treating patients with migraine. Little data are available on perceptions of migraine by GPs. METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional, pharmacoepidemiological survey conducted in primary care in France. Most GPs completed 1 of 2 questionnaires, and GPs belonging to both groups could complete both. Data were collected on headache treatments used (GP-M) or prescribed (GP-CFM), and on self-reported (GP-M) or described (GP-CFM) migraine features and impact on daily activities. RESULTS: The most frequently reported acute headache treatments in both groups were triptans and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (>75% of GPs); >81% of GPs in both groups were satisfied with acute headache treatments. Only 6.9% of the GP-M group used and 17.2% of the GP-CFM group prescribed a prophylactic treatment, which was considered satisfactory by 46.2% and 56.1%, respectively. In the preceding 3 months, 79.4% of the GP-M group reported handicap in daily activities due to migraine, 23.6% interruption of extraprofessional activities and 7.6% interruption of work. In the GP-CFM group, 32.6% described interruption of extraprofessional activities and 57.3% interference with daily activities or work. CONCLUSIONS: Acute headache treatment prescribed by French GPs for their own migraines or those of their relatives respect practice guidelines and is considered as effective and satisfactory. Use of prophylactic medication is low and its effectiveness perceived as limited. Better use of prophylactic treatments may attenuate the impact of migraine on daily activities.

Contribution of clinical tests to the diagnosis of rotator cuff disease: a systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of clinical tests for degenerative rotator cuff disease, based on a systematic literature review. METHODS: We searched Medline, Embase, and Pascal Biomed until the first half of 2006 inclusive for articles that reported at least the sensitivity and specificity of clinical tests for rotator cuff disease. Predictive values and accuracy were recorded where available. The results were discussed and validated. RESULTS: We selected nine studies, of which three investigated tests for subacromial impingement syndrome and seven tests for rotator cuff tendinopathy. The Neer and Hawkins tests had good sensitivity but low specificity for subacromial impingement syndrome. For diagnosing tears of the supraspinatus or infraspinatus, the Jobe sign and the full can test showed similar performance characteristics to the Patte test and resisted external rotation with the elbow at the side flexed at 90 degrees . For diagnosing tendinopathies with or without tears, active unresisted external rotation for the infraspinatus and the lift off test for the subscapularis were specific but lacked sensitivity. In one study, limitation of the range of active unresisted internal rotation was sensitive and specific for subscapularis tendon disease. The palm up test performed poorly for diagnosing long head of biceps disease. CONCLUSIONS: Data on the diagnostic performance of clinical tests for rotator cuff tendon disease are fragmentary. However objective data exist to support the usefulness of some of these tests. Further studies are needed.

Phase IV study of liposomal daunorubicin (DaunoXome) in AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma.

The purpose of this article was to study the efficacy and tolerance of liposomal daunorubicin (DaunoXome) in the treatment of AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma (KS) as prescribed in France between September 1996 and September 1997. All patients with a positive HIV serology, histologically proven KS, and having received at least one daunorubicin treatment cycle during the study period were eligible for entry. Ninety-four patient files from 13 university hospital departments were retrospectively studied. Of 94 patients, 80% received cytostatic treatment before the first daunorubicin treatment cycle. Initial mean CD4 lymphocyte count was 114/microl. Ninety percent of the patients received highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) during daunorubicin treatment. Daunorubicin was administered as single chemotherapy to 70% of the patients. The total number of treatment cycles was 1,422, with a mean number of 16.1 treatment cycles (1-68) per patient and a mean cumulative daunorubicin dose of 674 mg/m2 (40-2,749). According to the AIDS Clinical Trial Group criteria, partial and complete response rates were 26.5% and 11.5%, respectively. A hematopoietic growth factor was prescribed in 29% of the treatment cycles. At the final evaluation, 71% of the patients were alive. No severe cardiotoxic event was observed despite high cumulative drug doses and prolonged follow-up. Since the introduction of HAART, this study constitutes the only evaluation of daunorubicin in a wide population. Our study confirms that daunorubicin is effective in patients with advanced KS. Daunorubicin is well tolerated over the long term in association with HAART.