Quality analysis of prior systematic reviews of carpal tunnel syndrome: an overview of the literature

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition greatly affects patients' quality of life and ability to work. Systematic reviews provide useful information for treatment and health decisions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the methodological quality of previously published systematic reviews on the treatment of CTS. DESIGN AND SETTING: Overview of systematic reviews conducted at the Brazilian public higher education institution, São Paulo, Brazil METHODS: We searched the MEDLINE and Cochrane Library database for systematic reviews investigating the treatment of CTS in adults. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and measurement tool to assess systematic reviews (AMSTAR) were applied by two independent examiners. RESULTS: Fifty-five studies were included. Considering the stratification within the AMSTAR measurement tool, we found that more than 76% of the analyzed studies were "low" or "very low". PRISMA scores were higher when meta-analysis was present (15.61 versus 10.40; P = 0.008), while AMSTAR scores were higher when studies performed meta-analysis (8.43 versus 5.59; P = 0.009) or when they included randomized controlled trials (7.95 versus 6.06; P = 0.043). The intra-observer correlation demonstrated perfect agreement (> 0.8), a Spearman's correlation coefficient of 0.829, and an ICC of0.857. The inter-observer correlation indicated that AMSTAR was more reliable than PRISMA. CONCLUSION: Overall, systematic reviews of the treatment of CTS are of poor quality. Reviews with better-quality conducted meta-analysis and included randomized controlled trials. AMSTAR is a better tool than PRISMA because it has a better performance and should be recommended in future studies. REGISTRATION NUMBER IN PROSPERO: CRD42020172328 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020172328)

Quality analysis of prior systematic reviews of carpal tunnel syndrome: an overview of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition greatly affects patients' quality of life and ability to work. Systematic reviews provide useful information for treatment and health decisions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the methodological quality of previously published systematic reviews on the treatment of CTS. DESIGN AND SETTING: Overview of systematic reviews conducted at the Brazilian public higher education institution, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: We searched the MEDLINE and Cochrane Library database for systematic reviews investigating the treatment of CTS in adults. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and measurement tool to assess systematic reviews (AMSTAR) were applied by two independent examiners. RESULTS: Fifty-five studies were included. Considering the stratification within the AMSTAR measurement tool, we found that more than 76% of the analyzed studies were "low" or "very low". PRISMA scores were higher when meta-analysis was present (15.61 versus 10.40; P = 0.008), while AMSTAR scores were higher when studies performed meta-analysis (8.43 versus 5.59; P = 0.009) or when they included randomized controlled trials (7.95 versus 6.06; P = 0.043). The intra-observer correlation demonstrated perfect agreement (> 0.8), a Spearman's correlation coefficient of 0.829, and an ICC of0.857. The inter-observer correlation indicated that AMSTAR was more reliable than PRISMA. CONCLUSION: Overall, systematic reviews of the treatment of CTS are of poor quality. Reviews with better-quality conducted meta-analysis and included randomized controlled trials. AMSTAR is a better tool than PRISMA because it has a better performance and should be recommended in future studies. REGISTRATION NUMBER IN PROSPERO: CRD42020172328 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020172328).

Epidemiology of Upper Limb Injuries in two major Brazilian Soccer Championships from 2016 to 2019.

PURPOSE: To evaluate epidemiological data of upper limb injuries in professional athletes who participated in two major Brazilian soccer championships between 2016 and 2019. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the teams of two divisions over four seasons within the Brazilian Soccer Championship and the Paulista Soccer Championship. Clubs and their doctors were contacted to participate in the study and guided on the correct way to enter data via online platforms: Transfermarkt (Transfermarkt GmbH & Co. KG) and Survey Monkey (Momentive.AI). Demographic data, injury characteristics, and FIFA Incidence Formula were analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, the study analyzed 3,828 matches and 126,357 hours of play. Upper limb injuries were registered 169 times, representing 6.8% of total injuries, with a FIFA incidence of 1.34. Most lesions occurred in forward players (21.3%), the shoulder exhibited the highest number of injuries (63.3%). The player's position was related to the location on the field where the injury occurred (p < 0.001); however, there was no relationship between the type of injury and the location on the body (p > 0.001). The average time to return to play was 19.1 days (range 0-200 days) and it was longer for goalkeepers. The necessity of surgical treatment was statistically associated with additional time to return to play (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Shoulder injuries were the most frequent upper limb injury sustained during the two major Brazilian soccer championships. Forward players suffered the most upper limb injuries and goalkeepers experienced the longest time to return to play.

A Simple Technique to Restore Tension of a Loose Suture Bridge During Rotator Cuff Repair: Save the Repair.

The transosseous equivalent suture bridge technique has been widely used for rotator cuff repair, especially for large tears. During the fixation of the second lateral anchor, the first group of sutures may become loose due to anchor malposition or manual overtensioning of the second group of sutures. To restore the suture's tension, a spare suture from the second lateral anchor may be passed beneath the loose suture to tighten it with a simple knot. This technique has been shown to be easy and fast to perform and does not require extra material.