Sytsma, Terin T.

ImportanceCorticosteroid injections (CSIs) are an important tool for pain relief in many musculoskeletal conditions, but the longitudinal effects of these treatments on bone health and fracture risk are unknown.ObjectiveTo determine whether cumulative doses of corticosteroid injections are associated with higher risk of subsequent osteoporotic and nonosteoporotic fractures.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cohort study included adult patients receiving any CSI from May 1, 2018, through July 1, 2022. Eligible patients resided in Olmsted County, Minnesota, and were empaneled to receive primary care within the Mayo Clinic. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate risk of fracture based on cumulative injected corticosteroid dose.ExposureReceipt of any CSI during the study period.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was risk of fracture by total triamcinolone equivalents received. Secondary outcomes consisted of risks of fracture based on triamcinolone equivalents received in subgroups of patients not at high risk for fracture and patients with osteoporosis.ResultsA total of 7197 patients were included in the study (mean [SD] age, 64.4 [14.6] years; 4435 [61.6%] women; 183 [2.5%] Black and 6667 [92.6%] White), and 346 (4.8%) had a new fracture during the study period. Of these fractures, 149 (43.1%) were considered osteoporotic. In the adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression model, there was no association of higher fracture risk based on cumulative CSI dose (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.04 [95% CI, 0.96-1.11]). There was also no associated higher risk of fracture in the non–high-risk (adjusted HR, 1.11 [95% CI, 0.98-1.26]) or osteoporosis (adjusted HR, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.90-1.11]) subgroups. Age, Charleson Comorbidity Index, and previous fracture were the only factors that were associated with higher fracture risk.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this cohort study of cumulative injected corticosteroid dose and risk of subsequent fracture, no association was observed, including in patients with a preexisting diagnosis of osteoporosis. Treatment of painful conditions with CSI should not be withheld or delayed owing to concern about fracture risk.

This retrospective cohort study investigated the longer-term hyperglycemic effects of intra-articular corticosteroid (IACS) administration by evaluating changes in A1C after large joint IACS injection. Among 1,169 patients (mean age 66.1 ± 12.2 years, 52.8% female), 184 (15.7%) experienced a greater-than-expected rise in A1C (actual A1C ≥0.5% above predicted) after IACS. Greater-than-expected rise in A1C was associated solely with baseline A1C (odds ratio [OR] 1.84, 95% CI 1.08–3.13 for baseline A1C of 7.0–8.0% compared with <7.0% and OR 4.79, 95% CI 2.83–8.14 for baseline A1C >8.0% compared with <7.0%). Although most patients do not experience an increase in A1C after IACS, clinicians should counsel patients with suboptimally controlled diabetes about risks of further hyperglycemia after IACS administration.

Abstract Background The Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test performed in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is considered highly specific for the diagnosis of neurosyphilis, but algorithms to diagnose neurosyphilis require positive syphilis serologic testing prior to obtaining CSF-VDRL. Inappropriate use of diagnostic tests depletes healthcare resources, and contributes to rising healthcare expenditures. CSF-VDRL has historically been improperly utilized; however there is no recent evaluation of its use in clinical practice. We aimed to quantify rates of appropriate CSF-VDRL testing, determine the CSF-VDRL false-positivity rate and describe causes of false-positive CSF-VDRL reactivity. Methods In this retrospective cohort study of three Mayo Clinic sites (Rochester, MN, Jacksonville, FL, and Scottsdale, AZ), we measured the rate of appropriate CSF-VDRL test utilization in patients with negative testing from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2017. We then identified all patients with positive CSF-VDRL testing from January 1, 1994 to February 28, 2018, characterized true- and false-positive rates and described causes of CSF-VDRL false-positivity. Results Among 8,553 persons with negative CSF-VDRL results, testing was unnecessarily ordered in 8,399 (98.2%). The word “syphilis” or “neurosyphilis” appeared in the notes of only 1,184 (13.8%) individuals with a negative CSF-VDRL result. From January 1994 through February 2018, 33,933 CSF-VDRL tests were performed on 32,626 individual patients. Among 60 positive CSF-VDRL results, 41 (68.3%) were true-positives, 2 (3.3%) were indeterminate, and 17 (28.3%) were false-positives. Every patient with true-positive CSF-VDRL had positive serologic syphilis testing prior to CSF testing. All patients with false-positive CSF-VDRL results were inappropriately tested. Neoplastic meningitis was a common cause of false-positive CSF-VDRL results. Conclusion This is the first study in decades to review CSF-VDRL utilization for the diagnosis of neurosyphilis. Inappropriate use of CSF-VDRL testing for diagnosis of neurosyphilis remains problematic in clinical practice. Following recommended testing algorithms would prevent unnecessary testing, preserve resources, and minimize false-positive results. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Abstract The wheelchair is an essential tool for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). When the capacity and fit of a wheelchair is matched to the needs and abilities of an individual with SCI, health, function, community participation, and quality of life are maximized. Throughout an individual’s life, function and health status can decline (or improve), necessitating a new wheelchair and/or seating components (eg, cushions and backrests). Additionally, a patient’s current wheelchair may be identified as a factor contributing to a health concern or functional deficit, again necessitating wheelchair adjustments. Primary care physicians often manage the complex and lifelong medical needs of individuals with SCI and play a key role in wheelchair evaluation and prescription. This article provides a broad overview of indicators that a new wheelchair is needed, describes the wheelchair prescription process, identifies important team members, reviews the major wheelchair components, and provides guidance to match components to patients’ needs and abilities.

Spiritual health is important in managing and coping with chronic and debilitating illnesses, such as neurodegenerative diseases. However, few spiritual interventions have addressed this population. This article quantitatively and qualitatively evaluates outcomes of a spiritual life review in neurodegenerative diseases patients. The majority of participants improved or maintained quality of life and spiritual/emotional well-being following the intervention. Spiritual life review may be an important intervention in the comprehensive care of patients with neurodegenerative diseases.

Objectives: To describe the feasibility of a chaplain-led spiritually focused life review interview and the development of a spiritual legacy document (SLD) for patients with advanced diseases and to describe changes in spiritual well-being (SWB), spiritual coping strategies (SC), and quality of life (QOL) after receiving the SLD. Patients and Methods: In all, 130 patients and support person (SP) pairs were recruited from July 2012 to January 2019. Following enrollment, demographic information was gathered and baseline questionnaires were administered. Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp-12) and a linear analog scale assessment (LASA) measured SWB. LASAs also measured QOL and emotional well-being (EWB). Positive Religious Coping Scale (RCOPE) measured SC. After completion of baseline forms, participants were interviewed (individually) by a chaplain. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and verified. Transcripts were edited and participants were given the opportunity to make adaptations. The participant-approved draft was then developed into a professionally printed SLD. Follow-up questionnaires were administered to assess change. Results: Significant improvements from baseline to post-SLD follow-up were found for patients on the LASAs: SWB (average 7.7-8.3, P = .01), QOL (average 6.7-7.3, P = .03), EWB (average 6.9-7.5, P = .01), and on the positive RCOPE (average 1.8-2.0, P = .007). Effect sizes were approximately 0.25. Considering any improvement, 61.0% improved their positive RCOPE score, 46.6% improved EWB, and 39.7% improved SWB. No significant changes were found on the FACIT-Sp-12. No significant changes were found for SPs. Conclusion: The results suggest that the primary participants who completed the study benefited by significantly increasing their QOL, SWB, EWB, and SC.

Objectives Viscosupplementation, intra‐articular injection of hyaluronic acid (HA), for knee osteoarthritis has fallen somewhat out of favor, with studies failing to show consistent benefits in pain reduction. Hyaluronic acid must enter the joint space to be beneficial; however, landmark‐guided injection can be substantially inaccurate, especially in obese patients. We aimed to determine whether ultrasound (US) guidance to ensure needle placement for HA knee injection resulted in improved outcomes as reflected by surgery‐free survival compared to landmark‐guided HA knee injection. Methods All community‐dwelling patients in 6 contiguous surrounding counties receiving HA knee injection either by landmark guidance (n = 647) or by US guidance (n = 500) were analyzed for the degree of arthritis, body mass index, follow‐up injection, and subsequent need for knee arthroplasty. A subgroup analysis of obese patients was also performed. Results The US‐ and landmark‐guided HA injection cohorts were similar with respect to sex, body mass index, and the degree of arthritis. Of 1147 patients receiving knee HA injection, 462 subsequently underwent knee arthroplasty. Significantly fewer patients in the US‐guided HA injection cohort went to surgery (33.2%) compared to the landmark‐guided cohort (45.8%; P < .001). The subgroup analysis for obese patients showed even larger differences (34.8% versus 51.8%; P < .001). Conclusions Knee osteoarthritis treatment by viscosupplementation can be optimized by US guidance, ensuring intra‐articular needle placement. Using an objective surgical outcome, our study shows that rethinking viscosupplementation to ensure intra‐articular delivery improves effectiveness. Patients receiving US‐guided knee HA injection were significantly less likely to undergo subsequent knee arthroplasty than patients receiving landmark‐guided HA injection.