Wound healing: total contact cast vs. custom-made temporary footwear for patients with diabetic foot ulceration.

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of irremovable total-contact casts (TCC) and custom-made temporary footwear (CTF) to heal neuropathic foot ulcerations in individuals with diabetes. In this prospective clinical trial, 43 patients with plantar ulcer Grade 1 or 2 (Wagner scale) were randomized to one of two off-loading modalities: TCC or CTF. Outcomes assessed were wound surface area reduction (cm2) and time to wound healing (days) at 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks. To evaluate safety, possible side effects were recorded at each follow-up visit. The results showed no significant difference in wound surface area reduction (adjusted for baseline wound surface) at 2, 4, 8 or 16 weeks (adjusted mean difference 0.10 cm2; 95% CI -0.92-0.72 at 16 weeks). At 16 weeks, 12 patients had a completely healed ulcer, 6 per group. The median time to healing was shorter for the patients using a cast (52 vs. 90 days, p = 0.26). Five patients with TCC and two with CTF developed device-related complications. It was concluded that: (i) the rate of wound healing is not significantly different for patients treated with CTF or TCC. The difference in wound surface area was small and not significant at any time during follow-up; and (ii) the difference in healing time (38 days) may have attained statistical significance if the numbers in these sub-groups (2 x 6) had been higher. Since there appears to be little difference in effectiveness between both off-loading modalities, further investigation into the benefits of CTF is warranted.

Diagnosis and treatment of depression following acquired brain injury: a comparison of practice in the UK and the Netherlands.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare current practice in diagnosis and treatment of depression following acquired brain injury in two countries (UK and the Netherlands) which have different sets of guidelines. SETTING AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey of reported practice among rehabilitation physician members of the British and Dutch specialist societies. METHODS: A 12-item postal questionnaire was sent to 496 rehabilitation physicians with two reminders: N=353 (71%) responded, 146 of whom did not manage people with acquired brain injury, leaving 207 questionnaires for analysis (Netherlands N=121, UK N=86). Descriptive summary statistics were compiled. Categorical and dichotomous data were compared between the groups using chi-squared tests. RESULTS: Sixty-seven (78%) of British respondents served a predominantly younger adult (65 years) population, compared with only 27 (22%) of the Dutch, who mainly treated patients of all ages. In line with their respective guidelines, more British respondents reported that they screened all acquired brain injury patients for depression (68/86 (79%) British versus 71/121 (59%) Dutch, P<0.01), and used formal measures (37/68 (54%) versus 14/69 (20%), P<0.001). They also took a more active role in treatment of depression: only 1 (1%) never used antidepressants, compared with 22 (18%) of Dutch respondents (P<0.001). On the other hand, where antidepressants were prescribed, the Dutch respondents were more likely than the British to follow-up their patients (93/98 (95%) versus 67/84 (80%), P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The survey demonstrates a broadly similar approach, but highlights some significant variance in practice between the two countries which may stem from differences in population and service provision as well as their respective guidelines.

A questionnaire survey of the effect of different interface types on patient satisfaction and perceived problems among trans-tibial amputees.

The objectives were to investigate the effect of three different interface types on consumer satisfaction and perceived problems among trans-tibial amputees in the Netherlands. A postal questionnaire (based on the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire) was sent to 353 patients. Responders were classified in three groups of interface types: polyethylene foam (PEF) inserts, silicone liners (SIL), and polyurethane liners (PUL). Differences concerning satisfaction and problems between interface types were computed and adjusted for potential confounding by age, gender, reason for amputation and time since first prosthesis. A total of 220 patients responded (62%). Patients wearing liners reported a significantly poorer durability and higher maintenance time compared with patients using PEF inserts. Sum-scores for satisfaction or problems did not show any significant differences between groups. Analysis of individual items showed a significant difference only for satisfaction with sitting and with walking on uneven terrain in favour of PEF inserts. In contrast to most studies, interface type was included as a possible determinant of customer use, satisfaction, and perceived problems. The perceived differences between the three suspension types are to a large extent small and non-significant. The findings do not support liner prescription as a matter of course for all trans-tibial amputees. A careful analysis of patients' preferences should be made to determine the best course of action. Further studies, preferably prospective, need to be conducted to determine which systems are most comfortable and offer least complaints.

Post-stroke depression and functional outcome: a cohort study investigating the influence of depression on functional recovery from stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of depression on functional recovery after stroke. DESIGN: Multicentre cohort study of 85 patients admitted for clinical rehabilitation. A two-stage case-finding procedure was used to identify patients with depression. For the control group, consecutive nondepressed stroke patients were enrolled. Patients were interviewed at 3-6 weeks and six months after stroke onset. SETTING: Three rehabilitation centres in the vicinity of Amsterdam. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional outcome was determined by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and the Rehabilitation Activities Profile (RAP). RESULTS: The prevalence of depression (35%) was comparable with the findings of earlier studies in other settings. Patients classified as depressed according to DSM III R criteria (American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders) had a significantly lower functional score, both at onset and after follow-up (FIM and RAP). There was, however, no significant difference in functional improvement between the depressed and the nondepressed group. Mean functional improvement in the six patients treated with antidepressants was 30% better than in the untreated (depressed) patients; numbers were too small for the results to attain statistical significance. Subset analysis showed a significantly higher outcome for nondepressed patients for the FIM subitems personal care and transfers. However, functional improvement was not significantly different for any of the subitems in depressed versus nondepressed patients. CONCLUSION: Stroke patients with depression have significantly lower functional scores both at onset and after six months. Our results suggest under-recognition of post-stroke depression and a possible beneficial effect of antidepressant medication in depressed stroke patients. Further studies are required to determine the effect of antidepressants.