Diagnostic value of clinical tests for degenerative rotator cuff disease in medical practice.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic value of clinical tests for degenerative rotator cuff disease (DRCD) in medical practice. METHODS: Patients with DRCD were prospectively included. Eleven clinical tests of the rotator cuff have been done. One radiologist performed ultrasonography (US) of the shoulder. Results of US were expressed as normal tendon, tendinopathy or full-thickness tear (the reference). For each clinical test and each US criteria, sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value, accuracy, negative likelihood ratio (NLR) and positive likelihood ratio (PLR) were calculated. Clinical relevance was defined as PLR ≥2 and NLR ≤0.5. RESULTS: For 35 patients (39 shoulders), Jobe (PLR: 2.08, NLR: 0.31) and full-can (2, 0.5) test results were relevant for diagnosis of supraspinatus tears and resisted lateral rotation (2.42, 0.5) for infraspinatus tears, with weakness as response criteria. The lift-off test (8.50, 0.27) was relevant for subscapularis tears with lag sign as response criteria. Yergason's test (3.7, 0.41) was relevant for tendinopathy of the long head of the biceps with pain as a response criterion. There was no relevant clinical test for diagnosis of tendinopathy of supraspinatus, infraspinatus or subscapularis. CONCLUSIONS: Five of 11 clinical tests were relevant for degenerative rotator cuff disease.

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the normal pancreas: reproducibility and variations of apparent diffusion coefficient measurement at 1.5- and 3.0-Tesla.

PURPOSE: To evaluate reproducibility and variations in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement in normal pancreatic parenchyma at 1.5- and 3.0-Tesla and determine if differences may exist between the four pancreatic segments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the pancreas was performed at 1.5-Tesla in 20 patients and at 3.0-Tesla in other 20 patients strictly matched for gender and age using the same b values (0, 400 and 800s/mm(2)). Two independent observers placed regions of interest within the four pancreatic segments to measure ADC at both fields. Intra- and inter-observer agreement in ADC measurement was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis and comparison between ADC values obtained at both fields using non-parametrical tests. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in ADC between repeated measurements and between ADC obtained at 1.5-Tesla and those at 3.0-Tesla. The 95% limits of intra-observer agreement between ADC were 2.3%-22.7% at 1.5-Tesla and 1%-24.2% at 3.0-Tesla and those for inter-observer agreement between 1.9%-14% at 1.5-Tesla and 8%-25% at 3.0-Tesla. ADC values were similar in all pancreatic segments at 3.0-T whereas the tail had lower ADC at 1.5-Tesla. CONCLUSION: ADC measurement conveys high degrees of intra- and inter-observer reproducibility. ADC have homogeneous distribution among the four pancreatic segments at 3.0-Tesla.

Haemoglobin glycation may partly explain the discordance between HbA1c measurement and oral glucose tolerance test to diagnose dysglycaemia in overweight/obese subjects.

AIM: This study assessed whether the poor correlation between HbA1c and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for dysglycaemia diagnosis may be explained by haemoglobin glycation (HbG). METHODS: A total of 1033 consecutive overweight or obese patients with no known diabetes underwent OGTT and measurement of HbA1c to diagnose diabetes and dysglycaemia (American Diabetes Association criteria). For each OGTT result category, low, medium and high HbG was defined according to the mean HbA1c/fructosamine ratio and mean fructosamine. High HbG was defined as values greater than mean values in each OGTT category for both HbA1c/fructosamine ratio and fructosamine levels, and low HbG was defined as lower values of both. The remaining patients were considered medium HbG. RESULTS: Based on OGTT and HbA1c values, 267 (25.8%) and 443 (42.8%) patients had intermediate hyperglycaemia, and 66 (6.4%) and 95 (9.2%) patients had diabetes, respectively. The results were discordant for intermediate hyperglycaemia or diabetes diagnosis in 41.7% and for diabetes diagnosis in 10.0% of the patients. The proportion of patients with HbA1c≥6.5%, but without OGTT-diagnosed diabetes, was 0%, 3.8% and 32.8% in the low-HbG, medium-HbG and high-HbG groups, respectively. In contrast, the proportion of patients with HbA1c<5.7%, but with an abnormal OGTT, was 30.4%, 11.1% and 0%, respectively. The AUROC of HbA1c to detect OGTT-diagnosed diabetes was better in the medium-HbG group [0.874 (0.816-0.931)] than in those with low or high HbG [0.628 (0.489-0.768); P<0.01]. Only age was independently associated with high-HbG status [10-year OR: 1.3 (1.1-1.5); P<0.0001]. CONCLUSION: Haemoglobin glycation may explain many of the discordant results between HbA1c and OGTT when used for dysglycaemia diagnosis.

Use of clinical scores to detect dysglycaemia in overweight or obese women.

AIMS: To test if the use of either HbA(1c) level or calculated clinical scores including two published scores and a new score (the Bondy score) could help in selecting overweight or obese women who should benefit from oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to detect dysglycaemia. METHODS: The French Data from an Epidemiological Study on the Insulin Resistance Syndrome (DESIR) score and the Finnish Diabetes risk score (Findrisk) were calculated, whereas the Bondy score was built in a development sample of 698 women, BMI 37±7 kg/m(2), without known diabetes. External validation was performed in a validation sample of 212 women. RESULTS: A dysglycaemia (according to OGTT results, WHO criteria) was diagnosed in 161 (23.1%) patients. Sensitivity of fasting plasma glucose (FPG)≥6.1 mmol/l and HbA(1c)≥6% to identify dysglycaemia were respectively 27 and 41%. Areas under Receiver Operator Curve (AROC) of HbA(1c), DESIR score and Findrisk to detect dysglycaemia were 0.630 [95% confidence interval 0.580-0.680], 0.606 [0.561-0.652] and 0.635 [0.588-0.683], respectively. The Bondy score, based on age and waist circumference, had a better AROC (0.674 [0.626-0.721]) than the DESIR score (P<0.05). These performances were confirmed in the validation sample. Performing OGTT only in subjects with a Bondy score≥4 (41% of the sample) had a sensitivity of 61% and a better net benefit (0.128) than measuring FPG in all subjects (0.069). CONCLUSION: Performing OGTT in obese women selected on a simple clinical score is more sensitive to identify dysglycaemia than measuring FPG in all of them and may be cost-effective.

[Results of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis aged 75 years and over]. / Résultats du traitement par radiofréquence du carcinome hépatocellulaire chez le cirrhotique âgé de 75 ans et plus.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess the results and tolerance of radiofrequency ablation in patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) older than 75 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a period of 9 years from January 2001, 235 patients with cirrhosis and 3 or less HCC≤5 cm of diameter were treated by radiofrequency ablation. Among them, 52 patients older than 75 years were selected for this study. RESULTS: The mean age was 79.4±3. 5 years. There were 36 males, cirrhosis was classified Child-Pugh class A (n=52) related to alcohol (n=13), HCV infection (n=33), or other causes (n=6). The mean tumour diameter was 32.5±10.6 mm, and 14 patients had a multifocal HCC. A complete ablation was obtained in 50/52 patients (96%). No severe complication occurred. The estimated overall survival rates were 62%, 52% and 36% at 3 years, 4 years and 5 years, respectively; it was similar to those observed in patients younger than 75 years. CONCLUSION: In patients with cirrhosis older than 75 years, radiofrequency ablation of 3 or less HCC≤5cm is well tolerated and survivals rates are similar to those of younger patients.

HCV genotype 3 is associated with a higher hepatocellular carcinoma incidence in patients with ongoing viral C cirrhosis.

Liver steatosis is a main histopathological feature of Hepatitis C (HCV) infection because of genotype 3. Steatosis and/or mechanisms underlying steatogenesis can contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the impact of infection with HCV genotype 3 on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence in patients with ongoing HCV cirrhosis. Three hundred and fifty-three consecutive patients (193 men, mean age 58 ± 13 years), with histologically proven HCV cirrhosis and persistent viral replication prospectively followed and screened for HCC between 1994 and 2007. Log-rank test and Cox model were used to compare the actuarial incidence of HCC between genotype subgroups. The patients infected with a genotype 3 (n = 25) as compared with those infected with other genotypes (n = 328) had a lower prothrombin activity [78 (interquartile range 60-85) vs 84 (71-195) %, P = 0.03] and higher rate of alcohol abuse (48%vs 29%, P = 0.046). During a median follow-up of 5.54 years [2.9-8.6], 11/25 patients (44%) and 87/328 patients (26%) with a genotype 3 and non-3 genotype, respectively, develop a HCC. HCC incidences were significantly different among the genotype subgroups (P = 0.001). The 5-year occurrence rate of HCC was 34% (95% CI, 1.3-6.3) and 17% (95% CI, 5.7-9.2) in genotype 3 and non-3 genotype groups, respectively (P = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, infection with a genotype 3 was independently associated with an increased risk of HCC occurrence [hazard ratio 3.54 (95% CI, 1.84-6.81), P = 0.0002], even after adjustment for prothrombin activity and alcohol abuse [3.58 (1.80-7.13); P = 0.003]. For patients with HCV cirrhosis and ongoing infection, infection with genotype 3 is independently associated with an increased risk of HCC development.

Trans-radial approach for catheterisation in non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome: an analysis of major bleeding complications in the ABOARD Study.

AIM: To determine the incidence, type and possible association with mortality of major bleeding in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) treated with an invasive strategy using predominantly the radial approach and triple antiplatelet therapy. METHODS: In the multicentre randomised ABOARD Study, 352 patients with NSTE-ACS were randomised to an 'immediate percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)' strategy or a strategy of PCI on the 'next working day'. Radial access was predominantly used in this study population. The present subanalysis evaluated the occurrence of major bleeding complications and their association with mortality at 1 month. RESULTS: Patients were treated with a triple antiplatelet therapy using high loading and maintenance doses of clopidogrel and abciximab in 99% of patients receiving PCI. The trans-radial approach was used in the vast majority of patients (84%). During the first 30 days, major bleeding complications (STEEPLE definition) occurred in 5.4% of patients (n=19), with no difference between immediate and delayed intervention. The most common bleeding complications were occult bleeding (36.8% of bleeding, n=7/19) and overt gastrointestinal bleeding (21% of bleeding, n=4/19). Patients with major bleeding had a higher peak concentration of creatinine during hospitalisation (mean±SD, 170±169 vs 97±57 µmol/l; p=0.005) and a 1-month mortality of 26.3%, much higher than patients without bleeding (0.6%, p<0.0001). Major bleeding was strongly associated with 30-day mortality (OR 50.3; 95% CI 10.1 to 249.7; p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Despite the predominant use of the radial approach, major bleeding (essentially occult and gastrointestinal) remains a common complication, which is highly associated with mortality in patients with NSTE-ACS treated with optimal antithrombotic therapy.

Comparison of two versions of the Vigileo-FloTrac system (1.03 and 1.07) for stroke volume estimation: a multicentre, blinded comparison with oesophageal Doppler measurements.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to evaluate the validity of stroke volume measurements obtained using the Vigileo-FloTrac system in comparison with those obtained using oesophageal Doppler considered as a reference. METHODS: Prospective, multicentre study (four university hospitals), in which investigators were blinded to stroke volume values acquired simultaneously with the other technique. Two different versions of the Vigileo software (1.03 and 1.07) were studied and compared over two consecutive periods of time. Forty critically ill patients (three ICUs) and 20 high-risk surgical patients (one operating theatre) were studied over a 6-month period. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty paired stroke volume values obtained using the second version of the Vigileo (1.07) yielded better correlation and agreement (R=0.48, P<0.001; bias=4 ml, limits of agreement: +/- 41 ml) than the 207 paired values obtained using version 1.03 (R=0.12, P=0.1; bias=1 ml, limits of agreement: +/- 75 ml). However, even with the second version, the percentage error in stroke volume measurement was 58%, a value still above the range considered clinically acceptable (30%). CONCLUSIONS: The precision of stroke volume estimation using Vigileo-FloTrac has improved with the second version of the software (1.07), but remains insufficient to allow the replacement of the reference technique in the population studied.