Parameters affecting improvement of excessive daytime sleepiness in obstructive sleep apnea patients.

OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep-related breathing disorder caused by repetitive obstruction of the upper airway; this impairs gaseous exchange, resulting in hypoxia, hypercapnia, and frequent arousals. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a common daytime symptom of OSA. EDS manifests as fatigue and impaired attention, leading to poor performance at work and falling asleep while driving, which is a major socioeconomic problem. Therefore, it is important to properly treat EDS and accurately predict the response to treatment. However, few studies have compared OSA patients showing and not showing improvement in EDS. Therefore, this study aimed to objectively analyze and compare EDS improvement and non-improvement groups. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 57 OSA patients with EDS. Patients were divided into two groups according to the improvement in EDS after positive airway pressure (PAP) device treatment. We analyzed differences in clinical records including patients' age, sex, history of smoking, hypertension, diabetes, myocardial infarction, and cerebrovascular disease between the two groups. Systolic, diastolic blood pressure, blood test including blood glucose, total cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were also analyzed. Polysomnography (PSG) data, PAP device treatment compliance and scores of questionnaires related to various psychiatric symptoms, subjective sleep quality between the two groups were also analyzed. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in age, gender, or past medical history between the two groups. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and blood test results, were also not significantly different. Among the questionnaires related to various psychiatric symptoms, the groups showed statistically significant differences in Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS) and Fear of Negative Evaluation (FNE) scores (P = 0.001 and 0.020, respectively). The group differences in the scores on the other questionnaires were not significantly different. Among the PSG items, significant group differences were observed in the percentage of stage 2 non-REM sleep (N2%, P = 0.023), apnea index (AI, P = 0.005), apnea-hypopnea index (AHI, P = 0.023), and frequency of 3 % oxygen desaturation (ODI3, P = 0.001). No obesity-related parameters showed significant group differences. The percentage of days on which a PAP device was used (out of 90 days; PAP%) and percentage of days on which a PAP device was used for >4 h (Time4%) did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The SADS, FNE, AI, AHI, N2%, and ODI3 parameters differed significantly between the EDS improvement and non-improvement groups. These parameters may help clinicians treat and predict the prognosis of patients suffering with EDS.

The Usefulness of Esophageal Baseline Impedance Levels for the Diagnosis of Nonerosive Reflux Disease and the Proper Time for Measurement in Endoscopy-negative Korean Patients With Esophageal or Supraesophageal Symptoms.

Background/Aims: Low baseline impedance levels (BILs) have been suggested to be evidence of GERD. The aim of this study is to investigate the usefulness of esophageal BILs for the diagnosis of nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) and the proper time for measurement in endoscopy-negative Korean patients with esophageal or supraesophageal symptoms. Methods: Endoscopy-negative patients with esophageal or supraesophageal symptoms who underwent esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring were included. BILs were measured in the proximal and distal esophagus around 10 minutes before meals, 10 minutes and 30 minutes after meals, 30 minutes before the start of nighttime sleep, and 30 minutes and 60 minutes after the start of nighttime sleep. Results: A total of 104 patients were included in the study. Distal and proximal esophageal BILs were decreased after meal ingestion. The BILs of the distal esophagus were significantly lower at all time points in the NERD group, but not in the reflux hypersensitivity (RH) group, compared with the functional group. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the diagnosis of NERD was significant at all time points, but that for the diagnosis of RH was not. The cut-off value of 2375 Ω or 2125 Ω measured around 30 minutes before or 60 minutes after the start of nighttime sleep, respectively, were appropriate for the diagnosis of NERD. Conclusion: The BILs of the distal esophagus measured at time points before or after the start of nighttime sleep appear to be useful for the diagnosis of NERD, but not for the diagnosis of RH, in endoscopy-negative Korean patients with esophageal or supraesophageal symptoms.

A Proposal for Botulinum Toxin Type A Injection Into the Temporal Region in Chronic Migraine Headache.

Botulinum toxin type-A (BTX-A) injection for treating chronic migraine (CM) has developed into a new technique covering distinct injection points in the head and neck regions. The postulated analgesic mechanism implies that the injection should be administered to sensory nerves rather than to muscles. This study aimed to determine the topographical site of the auriculotemporal nerve (ATN) and to propose the effective injection points for treating CM. ATNs were investigated on 36 sides of 25 Korean cadavers. The anatomical structures of the ATN were investigated focusing on the temporal region. A right-angle ruler was positioned based on two clearly identifiable orthogonal reference lines based on the canthus and tragus as landmarks, and photographs were taken. The ATN appeared superficially in the anterosuperior region of the tragus. The nerve is located deeper than the superficial temporal artery. And it runs between the artery and the superficial temporal vein. In the superficial layer, it is divided into anterior and posterior divisions. The anterior division runs in a superior direction, while the posterior division runs in front of the ear and the several branches are distributed to the skin. We suggest that the optimal BTX-A injection points for CM are in the temporal region. The first point is about 2 cm anterior and 3 cm superior to two orthogonal reference lines defined based on the tragus and canthus, and the second point is about 4 cm superior to the first point. The third and fourth points are recommended about 2 cm superior to the first point, but respectively 1 cm anterior and posterior to it.

Hypoglycemia and Dementia Risk in Older Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Propensity-Score Matched Analysis of a Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with an increased risk for dementia. The effects of hypoglycemia on dementia are controversial. Thus, we evaluated whether hypoglycemia increases the risk for dementia in senior patients with T2DM. METHODS: We used the Korean National Health Insurance Service Senior cohort, which includes >10% of the entire senior population of South Korea. In total, 5,966 patients who had ever experienced at least one episode of hypoglycemia were matched with those who had not, using propensity score matching. The risk of dementia was assessed through a survival analysis of matched pairs. RESULTS: Patients with underlying hypoglycemic events had an increased risk for all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's dementia (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD) compared with those who had not experienced a hypoglycemic event (hazard ratio [HR], 1.254; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.166 to 1.349; P<0.001 for all-cause dementia; HR, 1.264; 95% CI, 1.162 to 1.375; P<0.001 for AD; HR, 1.286; 95% CI, 1.110 to 1.490; P<0.001 for VaD). According to number of hypoglycemic episodes, the HRs of dementia were 1.170, 1.201, and 1.358 in patients with one hypoglycemic episode, two or three episodes, and more than three episodes, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, hypoglycemia was associated with an increased risk for dementia in both sexes with or without T2DM microvascular or macrovascular complications. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that patients with a history of hypoglycemia have a higher risk for dementia. This trend was similar for AD and VaD, the two most important subtypes of dementia.

Is minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis superior to open plating for fixation of two-part fracture of the proximal humerus?

PURPOSE: Displaced two-part fractures of the proximal humerus are generally treated with open plate (OP) fixation. Recently, minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) has been increasingly favored for fracture healing and functional recovery. We aimed to compare OP and MIPO for two-part fractures of the proximal humerus to identify outcome differences. METHODS: All patients who underwent OP or MIPO for a displaced two-part fracture of the proximal humerus at a single level I trauma center between 2007 and 2013 were retrospectively evaluated. Of the patients, 17 were treated using the OP method through the delto-pectoral approach and 19 with MIPO through deltoid splitting. Radiographic results were evaluated to determine the union rate, time to union, and alignment. Functional outcomes were measured with Constant and UCLA scores. Radiation exposure and operative time were also evaluated. RESULTS: All patients achieved bone union without complication. In the OP and MIPO groups, no significant difference was observed in the neck shaft angles, constant scores, or UCLA scores. The OP group required less radiation exposure time than the MIPO group ( p < 0.001). However, the OP group showed more operation time than the MIPO group ( p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques showed satisfactory radiographic and functional outcomes in two-part fractures of the proximal humerus. Although MIPO technique offers advantages, including minimal soft tissue damage and short operation time, surgeons and patients should be warned of the invisible risk from the radiation hazard.

Correction: Kim, Young-Gun; Jeon, Ja Young; Kim, Hae Jin; Kim, Dae Jung; Lee, Kwan-Woo; Moon, So Young; Han, Seung Jin. Risk of Dementia in Older Patients with Type 2 Diabetes on Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors versus Sulfonylureas: A Real-World Population-Based Cohort Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine 2019, 8, 28.

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...].

Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors and the Risk of Pancreatitis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Information on the risk of acute pancreatitis in patients receiving dipeptidyl-peptidase IV inhibitors (DPP-4i) is limited and controversial. One study suggested that the differences in findings between these meta-analyses were attributed to whether they included large randomized control trials with cardiovascular outcomes or not. The aim of our study was to determine whether the use of DPP-4i increases the risk of acute pancreatitis compared with sulfonylurea (SU) and whether the risk is higher in patients with underlying cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: A population-based cohort study was performed using Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort data. We included 33,395 new users of SU and DPP-4i from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2015. SU-treated patients and DPP-4i-treated patients were matched by 1 : 1 propensity score matching. We used Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to calculate the risk of acute pancreatitis. RESULTS: The hazard ratio (HR) of hospitalization for acute pancreatitis was 0.642 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.535-0.771) in DPP-4i-treated patients compared with SU-treated patients. The HR of DPP-4i use was also lower than that of SU use in patients without underlying CVD (HR: 0.591; 95% CI: 0.476-0.735) but not in patients with underlying CVD (HR: 0.727; 95% CI: 0.527-1.003). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that DPP-4i is less likely to cause drug-induced pancreatitis than SU. This finding was not evident in patients with CVD, but DPP-4i was not more likely to induce pancreatitis in these patients than SU was.

Supplementary Technique for Unstable Clavicle Shaft Fractures: Interfragmentary Wiring and Temporary Axial K-Wire Pinning.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of unstable clavicle fractures remains a challenge for orthopedic surgeons, but the evolution of treatment strategies has allowed for reliable results with minimal complications. Although several surgical options exist, open reduction with plating remains the treatment of choice for clavicle fractures. The purpose of this study is to determine an easy way to achieve successful preplating reduction while minimizing surrounding soft tissue damage during treatment of midshaft fractures of the clavicle. METHODS: A retrospective study included all consecutive adult patients operated on by a single surgeon for acute displaced clavicular midshaft fracture between January 2010 and October 2014. Hybrid technique with interfragmentary cerclage wiring, temporary axial K-wire pinning, or their combination was used in all patients. The demographic data and clinical outcomes, including operation time, union time, restoration of anatomy, shoulder functional score, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: There were 54 male and 19 female patients, with an average age of 39.3 years (range, 18 to 77 years) for males and 58.3 years (range, 39 to 77 years) for females. They were followed up for 24 months (range, 12 to 44 months). All patients had reliable bone union after surgery using interfragmentary cerclage wiring and temporary axial K-wire fixation; fracture union was obtained at an average of 11.7 weeks (range, 8 to 21 weeks) postoperatively. Additionally, there was no postoperative loss of fracture reduction or plate loosening. At the final follow-up, all patients had regained excellent functional outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The cognizant effort to achieve anatomic reduction without surrounding soft tissue insult before definitive plating allows excellent radiologic and functional outcomes. Interfragmentary cerclage wiring and temporary axial K-wire pinning can overcome difficulties associated with unstable clavicle fractures to allow proper fracture reduction. In this article, we introduce a concise technique for achieving the desired outcomes reliably and efficiently when treating unstable clavicle midshaft fractures.

Association between sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and a reduced risk of heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a real-world nationwide population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Recently, two large randomized controlled trials which only included patients with underlying cardiovascular disease (CVD) or patients at high risk for CVD showed that two sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) significantly reduced hospitalization for heart failure (hHF), with an early separation in the survival curves for hHF. There were concerns whether SGLT-2i use could protect hHF in patients without CVD and how soon SGLT-2i-treated patients show a lower risk of hHF. Thus, we aimed to evaluate whether the heart failure protective effect of SGLT-2i differs depending on the underlying CVD and the prescription period compared with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i). METHODS: We performed a nationwide retrospective observational study to estimate the effect of SGLT-2i on HF. The 59,479 SGLT-2i new-users were matched with same number of DPP-4i new-users through propensity score matching using 53 confounding variables. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) curves and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to estimate the risk of hospitalization for hHF. RESULTS: The incidence rates of hHF were 0.83 and 1.13 per 100 person-years in SGLT-2i-treated patients and DPP-4i-treated patients, respectively. The hazard ratios of hHF were 0.66 (95% confidence interval 0.58-0.75) in SGLT-2i-treated patients compared with the DPP-4i-treated patients. Among the patients with underlying CVD, SGLT-2i-treated patients were associated with a lower risk of hHF from 30 days to 3 years after initiating drugs compared with DPP-4i. However, SGLT-2i use only showed a lower risk of hHF with a significant difference 3 years after drug initiation among patients without underlying CVD. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that SGLT-2i reduced hHF compared with DPP-4i. A heart failure protective effect of SGLT-2i use vs. DPP-4i use was shown 30 days after initiating the SGLT-2i among patients with established CVD, but this effect appeared later in patients without established CVD.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors and the risk of ketoacidosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A nationwide population-based cohort study.

AIMS: To estimate the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) associated with sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor treatment compared with the risk associated with dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor treatment. METHODS: A nationwide population-based cohort study using claims data from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service from January 1, 2013 to June 30, 2017 was performed. A total of 56 325 patients who were started on SGLT2 inhibitors were included in this study and were matched with same number of patients who were started on DPP-4 inhibitors using propensity score matching. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to estimate the risk of hospitalization for DKA. RESULTS: The risk of hospitalization for DKA was not increased in SGLT2 inhibitor users vs DPP-4 inhibitor users (hazard ratio [HR] 0.956, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.581-1.572; P = .996). The incidence rate of hospitalization for DKA during the first 30 days after initiation of the SGLT2 inhibitor was 2.501 cases per 1000 person-years, which was higher than the rate during 3 years (0.614 cases per 1000 person-years). SGLT2 inhibitor use was associated with a higher HR in patients with diabetic microvascular complications (HR 2.044, 95% CI 0.900-4.640; P = .088) and in patients taking diuretics (HR 3.648, 95% CI 0.720-18.480; P = .118), although these associations were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: We found that SGLT2 inhibitor treatment did not increase the risk of DKA compared with DPP-4 inhibitor treatment. Our findings suggest that patients prescribed diuretics or those with microvascular complications may have a greater tendency to be hospitalized for DKA.

Risk of Dementia in Older Patients with Type 2 Diabetes on Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors Versus Sulfonylureas: A Real-World Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes is related to an increased risk of dementia. Preclinical studies of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors (DPP-4i) for dementia have yielded promising results. Therefore, we investigated the risk of dementia in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes on DPP-4is and sulfonylureas (SU). METHODS: Using a claims database called the Korean National Health Insurance Service Senior cohort, new users of DPP-4is and SUs were matched by 1:1 propensity score matching using 49 confounding variables (7552 new DPP-4is users and 7552 new SU users were matched by 1:1 propensity score matching; average age 75.4; mean follow-up period: 1361.9 days). Survival analysis was performed to estimate the risk of dementia. RESULTS: The risk of all-cause dementia was lower in the DPP-4i group compared to the SU group (hazard ratio (HR) 0.66; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56⁻0.78; p < 0.001). Particularly, DPP-4i use showed a significantly lower risk of Alzheimer's disease (HR 0.64; 95% CI 0.52⁻0.79; p < 0.001) and a lower risk, albeit non-significant, of vascular dementia compared to SU use (HR 0.66; 95% CI 0.38⁻1.14; p = 0.139). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that DPP-4i use decreases the risk of dementia compared to SU use in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes in a real-world clinical setting.

Fatty Degeneration of the Rotator Cuff Reflects Shoulder Strength Deficits in Patients With Rotator Cuff Tears.

Fatty degeneration is an important clinical factor in patients with rotator cuff tears. Goutallier grade, occupation ratio, and tangent sign help identify fatty degeneration; however, little is known about how closely these measurement techniques correlate with actual muscle strength deficits. The authors evaluated each method's ability to determine the correlation between fatty degeneration and muscle strength deficits. The authors included 203 patients who underwent full-thickness rotator cuff repair (mean age, 61.29±7.92 years). All patients were evaluated with preoperative magnetic resonance imaging to identify fatty degeneration and with an isokinetic test to determine actual shoulder strength. Fatty degeneration was evaluated using Goutallier grade, occupation ratio, and tangent sign. The actual shoulder strength deficit was evaluated by abduction, whereas external and internal rotation were tested using the isokinetic test. More severe fatty degeneration was correlated with lower degrees of abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation. The occupation ratio was more closely correlated with actual muscle strength deficits. However, in patients with massive tears, the correlation between fatty degeneration and muscle strength was less pronounced. Tangent sign (+) findings had a significantly lower strength of external rotation and abduction. The fatty degeneration of the rotator cuff muscle measured by each method was correlated with actual shoulder strength deficits in patients with rotator cuff tears. However, the correlations were less clear in patients with massive rotator cuff tears. Therefore, in cases of massive rotator cuff tears, fatty degeneration was correlated with muscle strength deficits but was not directly proportional to their extent. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(1):e15-e21.].

Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors and Risk of Heart Failure in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The association between dipeptidyl-peptidase IV inhibitors (DPP-4i) and heart failure (HF) remains unclear. In 1 randomized controlled trial and some observational studies, DPP-4i reportedly increased the risk of HF, but 2 other randomized controlled trials and observational studies have shown no such risk. Here, we evaluated the risk of HF and cardiovascular outcomes of DPP-4i compared with sulfonylureas. METHODS AND RESULTS: A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2015. Incident users of sulfonylurea and DPP-4i who were not prescribed the comparator drug in the year before treatment initiation were included. DPP-4i-treated and sulfonylurea-treated patients were matched on propensity score, calculated with >40 variables. The risk of hospitalization for HF was evaluated with a Cox proportional hazards model in 255 691 matched pairs. Analyses were conducted in the total patient population and in both strata divided by the presence of cardiovascular disease during the baseline period. The hazard ratios (HRs) of hospitalization for HF for DPP-4i-treated patients were 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.67-0.86) in all of the patients, 0.77 (95% CI, 0.68-0.79) in patients with baseline cardiovascular disease, and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.56-0.90) in patients without baseline cardiovascular disease compared with HRs for sulfonylurea-treated patients. Sitagliptin and linagliptin showed statistically lower risk for hospitalization for HF (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.67-0.86 for sitagliptin-prescribed patients; HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.59-0.92 for linagliptin-prescribed patients) than for sulfonylurea. The HRs for hospitalization for myocardial infarction and stroke with the use of a DPP-4i versus sulfonylurea were HR, 0.76 (95% CI, 0.67-0.87) and HR, 0.63 (95% CI, 0.60-0.67), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that DPP-4i use did not increase the risk of HF compared with sulfonylurea. In addition, the risks for cardiovascular outcomes were not elevated in DPP-4i-treated patients compared with sulfonylurea-treated patients.

ECG-ViEW II, a freely accessible electrocardiogram database.

The Electrocardiogram Vigilance with Electronic data Warehouse II (ECG-ViEW II) is a large, single-center database comprising numeric parameter data of the surface electrocardiograms of all patients who underwent testing from 1 June 1994 to 31 July 2013. The electrocardiographic data include the test date, clinical department, RR interval, PR interval, QRS duration, QT interval, QTc interval, P axis, QRS axis, and T axis. These data are connected with patient age, sex, ethnicity, comorbidities, age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index, prescribed drugs, and electrolyte levels. This longitudinal observational database contains 979,273 electrocardiograms from 461,178 patients over a 19-year study period. This database can provide an opportunity to study electrocardiographic changes caused by medications, disease, or other demographic variables. ECG-ViEW II is freely available at http://www.ecgview.org.

Rate of electronic health record adoption in South Korea: A nation-wide survey.

OBJECTIVE: The adoption rate of electronic health record (EHR) systems in South Korea has continuously increased. However, in contrast to the situation in the United States (US), where there has been a national effort to improve and standardize EHR interoperability, no consensus has been established in South Korea. The goal of this study was to determine the current status of EHR adoption in South Korean hospitals compared to that in the US. METHODS: All general and tertiary teaching hospitals in South Korea were surveyed regarding their EHR status in 2015 with the same questionnaire as used previously. The survey form estimated the level of adoption of EHR systems according to 24 core functions in four categories (clinical documentation, result view, computerized provider order entry, and decision supports). The adoption level was classified into comprehensive and basic EHR systems according to their functionalities. RESULTS: EHRs and computerized physician order entry systems were used in 58.1% and 86.0% of South Korean hospitals, respectively. Decision support systems and problem list documentation were the functions most frequently missing from comprehensive and basic EHR systems. The main barriers cited to adoption of EHR systems were the cost of purchasing (48%) and the ongoing cost of maintenance (11%). DISCUSSION: The EHR adoption rate in Korean hospitals (37.2%) was higher than that in US hospitals in 2010 (15.1%), but this trend was reversed in 2015 (58.1% vs. 75.2%). The evidence suggests that these trends were influenced by the level of financial and political support provided to US hospitals after the HITECH Act was passed in 2009. CONCLUSIONS: The EHR adoption rate in Korea has increased, albeit more slowly than in the US. It is logical to suggest that increased funding and support tied to the HITECH Act in the US partly explains the difference in the adoption rates of EHRs in both countries.

Is Anterior Bridge Plating for Mid-Shaft Humeral Fractures a Suitable Option for Patients Predominantly Involved in Overhead Activities? A Functional Outcome Study in Athletes and Manual Laborers.

BACKGROUND: To assess the functional and radiological outcomes of minimally invasive anterior bridge plating (ABP) for mid-shaft humerus fractures in patients predominantly involved in overhead activities (athletes and manual laborers). METHODS: Forty-eight patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were treated with ABP at a level-I trauma center using a 4.5-mm dynamic/locking compression plate and followed for a period of 1 year. Functional outcome was assessed using the Constant, Mayo elbow, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores. Range of motion (ROM), subjective strength, and radiographic union were assessed. A general satisfaction questionnaire was also administered. RESULTS: Most patients achieved excellent functional and radiological outcomes. ROM and strength of the shoulder girdle exhibited clinically nonsignificant loss as compared to the opposite side. The mean time for return to the original activities was 64 days (range, 36 to 182 days) and the mean time for confirmed radiographic union was 45 days (range, 34 to 180 days). The mean Constant, Mayo elbow, DASH scores were 95.73 ± 5.76 (range, 79 to 100), 95.94 ± 6.74 (range, 85 to 100), and 1.56 ± 3.15 (range, 0.0 to 14.0), respectively. The majority of patients (43 patients, 89.6%) who fell in the excellent or very good category according to our questionnaire were extremely satisfied. There were 2 cases (4.17%) of nonunion and 3 patients (6.25%) had to change/modify their original occupation. CONCLUSIONS: ABP is fundamentally different from traditional open posterior plating or conventional intramedullary nailing. It gives relative stability with union taking place by callus formation, and a longer plate on the tensile surface ensures that the humerus can withstand greater amount of rotational and bending stresses. The minimally invasive nature causes minimal soft tissue damage and, if done correctly, causes no damage to the vital structures in proximity. ABP for mid-shaft humerus fractures in patients predominantly engaged in overhead activities is a safe and effective treatment modality yielding high rates of union, excellent functional recovery, minimal biological disruption, better cosmesis, and superior satisfaction rates.

Total knee arthroplasty conversion after open-wedge high tibial osteotomy: A report of three cases.

BACKGROUND: The changes in the anatomy that occur due to a high tibial osteotomy (HTO), including the ligament release, can affect the clinical results after a subsequent total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We present three cases in which patients underwent conversion to a TKA after an open-wedge HTO. Of particular interest is the medial instability that was noted during the TKA procedures. METHODS: Three patients underwent conversion to a TKA after an open-wedge HTO. RESULTS: One case was converted to a TKA using a conventional posterior-stabilized type implant, and the other case was converted to a TKA using varus-valgus constraint-type implants due to the medial instability. The final case was converted to TKA using a conventional posterior-stabilized type implant, but a revision TKA using constrained-type implant was performed due to neglected medial instability. CONCLUSION: Conversion to a TKA after open-wedge HTO requires careful preparation and a constrained-type implant should be prepared to address the medial structure release. Furthermore, medial structures should be repaired during open-wedge HTO, in case the patient requires a future TKA conversion.

Rotator cuff tear and sarcopenia: are these related?

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and consequent loss of muscle function with aging. Its prevalence among the general population is 12% to 30% in those aged >60 years. We evaluated (1) the difference in the prevalence of sarcopenia between patients with rotator cuff tear and controls and (2) the sarcopenia severity according to the size of the rotator cuff tear. METHODS: Group 1 included 48 consecutive patients with chronic symptomatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears (mean age, 60.1 ± 6.5 years; range, 46-76 years), and group 2 included 48 age- and sex-matched patients. The sarcopenic index was evaluated by using the grip strength of the asymptomatic contralateral side and the skeletal muscle mass. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the baseline data and demographic factors between the groups. The sarcopenic index was significantly inferior in the rotator cuff tear group than in the age- and sex-matched control groups (P = .041, .007, and .05, respectively). Patients with large to massive tears had a significantly inferior sarcopenic index than those with small and medium tears. CONCLUSION: The results showed that sarcopenia was more severe in patients with a chronic symptomatic full-thickness rotator cuff tear than in the age- and sex-matched control population and was correlated with the size of the tear, with the numbers available. Despite the individual variance in the underlying medical condition and physical activities, this study suggests that clinicians should consider the sarcopenic condition of patients with a rotator cuff tear, especially in elderly patients with large to massive tears.

Renal Protective Effect of DPP-4 Inhibitors in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Cohort Study.

Aims. Dipeptidyl-peptidase IV inhibitors (DPP-4i) are among the most popular oral antidiabetic agents. However, the effects of DPP-4i on diabetic nephropathy are not well-established. The aim of this study was to determine the renoprotective effects of DPP-4i, using albuminuria and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as indicators, in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Methods. This retrospective observational cohort study used the clinical database of a tertiary hospital. The changes of urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR), estimated GFR (eGFR), and metabolic parameters after treatment were compared with the changes of those parameters before treatment using paired Student's t-test. Results. The mean UACR in the entire study population decreased to approximately 45 mg/g 1 year after DPP-4i treatment, while it was increased approximately 39 mg/g 1 year before DPP-4i treatment (p < 0.05). Patients with macroalbuminuria showed a significant reduction in albumin levels after DPP-4i treatment (p < 0.05); however, patients with microalbuminuria and normoalbuminuria did not show improvements in albuminuria levels after treatment. Although eGFR was not changed 1 year after DPP-4i treatment, reductions in eGFR were slowed in patients with microalbuminuria and reversed in the macroalbuminuria or normoalbuminuria groups, 4 years after treatment. Conclusions. Administration of DPP-4i reduces urine albumin excretion and mitigates reduction of eGFR in T2DM patients.

Effect of unilateral injection of botulinum toxin on lower facial asymmetry as evaluated using three-dimensional laser scanning.

BACKGROUND: Many patients with a hypertrophic masseter muscle desire its reduction to decrease the prominent mandibular angle. Surgical reduction has been widely used to this end, but bilateral injection of botulinum toxin into the masseter muscle is a less-invasive alternative to surgical reduction that has recently become the focus of public interest. The aim of this study was to measure changes in volume and thickness unilaterally in hypertrophic masseter muscles after unilateral botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injection using three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning as a method of evaluation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The volume and thickness of the lower facial contour of 10 patients with unilateral hypertrophic masseter muscle were measured using 3D laser scanning before and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after a unilateral injection of 25 U of BoNT-A. The 3D scans were superimposed to determine postinjection changes in volume and thickness. RESULTS: Although there was little change in the noninjected side over the experimental period, the mean volume and thickness of the injected side at each time point clearly and statistically significantly decreased between preinjection and 4, 8, and 12 weeks postinjection. CONCLUSION: Unilateral BoNT-A injection appears to be an effective esthetic treatment for patients with muscle-induced facial asymmetry.