Progress on salt reduction in the Pacific Islands: from strategies to action.

BACKGROUND: Most populations are consuming too much salt which is the main contributor of high blood pressure, a leading risk factor of cardiovascular disease and stroke. The South Pacific Office of the World Health Organization has been facilitating the development of salt reduction strategies in Pacific Island Countries and areas (PICs). The objective of this analysis was to review progress to date and identify regional actions needed to support PICs and ensure they achieve the global target to reduce population salt intake by 30% by 2025. METHODS: Relevant available national food, health and non-communicable disease (NCD) plans from all 22 PICs were reviewed. NCD co-ordinators provided updates and relayed experiences through semi-structured interviews. All activities were systematically categorised according to an existing salt reduction framework for the development of salt reduction strategies. RESULTS: Salt reduction consultations had been held in 14 countries and final strategies or action plans developed in nine of these, with drafts available in a further three. Three other countries had integrated salt reduction into NCD strategic plans. Baseline monitoring of salt intake had been undertaken in three countries, salt levels in foods in nine countries and salt knowledge, attitude and behaviour surveys in four countries. Most countries were at early stages of implementation and identified limited resources as a barrier to action. Planned salt reduction strategies included work with food industry or importers, implementing regional salt reduction targets, reducing salt levels in school and hospital meals, behaviour change campaigns, and monitoring and evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: There had been good progress on salt reduction planning in PICs. The need for increased capacity to effectively implement agreed activities, supported by regional standards and the establishment of improved monitoring systems, were identified as important steps to ensure the potential cardiovascular health benefits of salt reduction could be fully realised in the region.

Thermal modification of partial tears of the anterior cruciate ligament.

PURPOSE: Partial tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are common, representing 10% to 28% of all ACL tears. Untreated partial tears of the ACL may go on to complete rupture in up to 42% of cases, and as few as 30% of patients return to their preinjury activity level. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of thermal modification for the treatment of partial tears of the ACL. TYPE OF STUDY: A prospective, nonrandomized consecutive case series. METHODS: Thirteen patients with a partial tear of a native ACL were treated with thermal modification of the ACL. All patients had a preoperative office examination significant for an end-point to Lachman examination and pivot-glide. All patients had bilateral preoperative KT-1000 measurements. All tears were confirmed by arthroscopy to constitute a 50% or less loss of structural integrity of the ligament. The ACL underwent thermal modification using the Oratec thermal probe (Oratec Interventions, Menlo Park, CA), and was examined by intraoperative KT-1000 testing. Patients were evaluated postoperatively at 6 weeks, and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months by office examination and functional outcome scoring. RESULTS: KT-1000 arthrometer testing revealed a mean side-to-side difference of 4.35 mm preoperatively (SD = 1.1 mm). At the most recent follow-up, averaging 23 months (range, 18 to 28 months), 10 patients had a negative Lachman examination and no pivot-shift. Two patients had persistent grade II Lachman and complaints of giving way 3 months postoperative. Both patients underwent ACL reconstruction. One patient was lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 10 patients, all patients achieved full extension, and the average flexion range of motion was 131 degrees (SD = 5.6). Compared with the preoperative KT-1000 arthrometer testing, the most recent evaluation revealed a decrease in mean side-to-side difference to 1.9 mm (SD = 1.5 mm). At most recent follow-up, the mean Lysholm score was 96.3 (SD = 4.4), the mean Tegner score was 6.1 (SD = 1.2), and the mean Cincinnati score was 94 (SD = 3.0). CONCLUSIONS: With cautious application, thermal modification may be a viable treatment option for partial tears of the ACL in a select subset of patients. Further investigation is necessary to determine the long-term effectiveness of this procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Therapeutic Case Series Study (no or historical control group).