Search Results for: Low Back Pain: raccomandazioni

Methodological issues in HRQoL measurement, including the need for larger sample sizes, standardized reporting, and uniform participant characteristics, contribute to the low methodological quality of current evidence on the impact of biological agents on HRQoL in CD. There is a large unmet need to investigate the association between clinical outcomes and HRQoL outcomes more thoroughly.

In this large multicenter study, over one-third of patients failed to meet ePRO-guided nutritional targets, highlighting substantial challenges in adherence. Further, we identified key predictors associated with low adherence to ePRO-guided nutritional management in patients with cancer, which might help identify at-risk patients and guide future research.

Introduction
Globally, over a hundred million people are estimated to suffer from diabetic retinopathy (DR), which is a major complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). The prevalence of DM is projected to increase from the current 537 million by almost 50%, to 783 million by 2045. As a result, DR is one of the fastest rising causes of preventable blindness. Three out of four people suffering from DM live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where resources for both diagnosis and treatment are lacking. There has been a reduction in the rate of blindness from DR in high-income countries, while an opposite trend has been noted in LMICs, contributing to this massive morbidity burden. This scoping review aims to ascertain the methods used to assess DR in LMICs.

Methods and analysis
The scoping review will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines and the Arksey and O’Malley (2005) methodology framework. A systematic search of peer-reviewed literature will be carried out for all papers up to 15 May 2025 by identifying studies from electronic databases, including Embase, Medline and CENTRAL (Cochrane Library). A hand search of the associated reference lists of included studies and grey literature will also be conducted. The identified studies will be screened based on agreed eligibility (inclusion/exclusion) criteria by two independent reviewers, with any disagreements resolved via arbitration from a third reviewer. The data will be thematically summarised according to different aspects of DR assessment methods, and key findings will be elicited. The key findings will provide a comprehensive and clear understanding of the assessment methods used to identify DR in LMICs.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethical approval was not sought for this work as only publicly available information is used. The results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication, conference presentations and meetings with stakeholders.

Objective
Persistently low serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity is the hallmark of hypophosphatasia (HPP). However, low ALP values are not commonly recognised in routine clinical practice, often leading to delayed HPP diagnosis. Determining symptoms associated with persistently low ALP activity may facilitate a timelier diagnosis and improved treatment of patients with HPP. This study aimed to evaluate the signs and symptoms associated with low ALP.

Design
Retrospective, multicentre, cross-sectional study.

Setting
Medical records of adults with low ALP activity collected in 18 German clinics and large medical centres with medical specialty in endocrinology, diabetology, rheumatology and osteology were assessed. Serum ALP activity, medical history, previous diagnoses, laboratory values and symptoms were analysed.

Participants
Records were screened to identify patients≥18 years with ALP activity below the lower limit of the normal range within the last 5 years. Exclusion criteria were oncological or haematological disorders, intensive care at the time of low ALP measurement and having more than one ALP measurement in the normal range or above. Data from 849 patients with ≥1 low ALP value (median age: 44.0, min 18.0, max 90.0), including a subset of 32 patients with documented HPP diagnosis, were analysed.

Results
The study cohort presented with a spectrum of clinical manifestations and diagnostic profiles. Patients with HPP displayed typical symptoms, in particular musculoskeletal pain and fractures, more often than patients without HPP diagnosis (n=817). Among patients without HPP, 26.6% were diagnosed with hypothyroidism. 35 patients displayed 4+ clinical and biochemical signs typical for HPP that were attributed to differential diagnoses, such as rheumatic diseases, fibromyalgia and osteoporosis/osteopenia, suggesting the possibility of underlying HPP in some cases.

Conclusion
Most patients in this study had hypophosphatasemia without further evaluation, highlighting the need for greater awareness of low ALP levels in clinical practice. Recognising low ALP levels, especially when accompanied by symptoms like pain, musculoskeletal and dental abnormalities, is crucial for timely diagnosis and improved patient care.

Introduction
Cerebral palsy (CP), the most common physical disability in children, imposes substantial economic and psychological burdens on families and society. The clinical management of CP remains challenging due to the limited efficacy of current treatments and the heterogeneity of its aetiologies and clinical presentations. This study aims to investigate the functional changes and identify influencing factors in Chinese children with CP. Through analysis of neuroimaging and genetic data, this study seeks to inform the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies and guide healthcare decision-making for this population.

Methods and analysis
This prospective cohort study aims to recruit 2051 children with CP across China. Baseline data will include demographic and clinical characteristics. Participants will undergo comprehensive assessments, including motor, cognitive, language, social, behavioural, nutritional, pain, sleep and quality-of-life domains, with regular follow-up evaluations. Trio whole-exome sequencing and detailed neuroimaging and musculoskeletal imaging will also be performed. This study will also assess caregivers’ quality of life and emotional burden. Mendelian randomisation will be adopted to evaluate genetic contributions to functional outcomes and their causal relationship with health metrics. Analytical methods will include correlation analysis, logistic regression (binary and multivariate), linear and non-linear mixed-effects models and structural equation modelling.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethics approval was granted by the Research Ethics Committee of Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center (No.2023-346A01). All study procedures will adhere to the approved protocol. Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Trial registration number
ChiCTR2300079017.

Objectives
To describe self-reported treatment and exercise strategies among patients with long-lasting low back pain (LBP) 1 month after consultation at a specialised hospital-based Medical Spine Clinic and evaluate their associations with changes in pain and disability 1 and 3 months after consultation.

Design
Prospective cohort study using questionnaire data before consultation (baseline) and 1 and 3 months after consultation.

Setting
Specialised hospital-based Medical Spine Clinic, Denmark.

Participants
1686 patients with long-lasting LBP completed the baseline questionnaire; 908 patients responded at 1 month, of them 623 responded at 3 month.

Interventions
Patients were categorised by treatment (physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, physiotherapy+chiropractic treatment and no recommended treatment) and exercise strategy (exercise continued, exercise ceased, exercise initiated and not exercising).

Primary and secondary outcome measures
Pain was assessed by the numeric rating scale (NRS: 0–10), and disability was assessed by the Oswestry disability index (ODI: 0–100).

Results
1-month postconsultation, half of the patients received no recommended treatment; most others received physiotherapy (42%). Nearly half of the patients continued exercise, 28% continued to be inactive, and 22% initiated exercise. For the population as a whole, pain changed by –0.74 (95% CI –0.90; –0.58) and –1.02 (95% CI –1.22; –0.83) points on the NRS at 1- and 3-month follow-up, respectively, and disability by –2.65 (95% CI –3.51; –1.78) and –4.48 (95% CI –5.59; –3.38) points on the ODI. Differences between treatment strategies were small. However, the two groups not exercising improved less compared with those who continued exercise when adjusted for age, sex and baseline level (order of magnitude from 0.07 to 1.18 points on the NRS and from 4.01 to 9.08 points on the ODI). For pain, these group differences were statistically significant at 1 month (p

Objectives
Endocrine disorders, such as hypo/hyperthyroidism and diabetes, affect over 5% of the world’s population, with an additional 5% of cases remaining undiagnosed. Despite the increasing prevalence of endocrine disorders, especially in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs), limited research offers comprehensive guidance on treating this complex medical field. This scoping review aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for efficient, effective and accessible treatment of paediatric thyroid conditions and diabetes in LMICs.

Design
Scoping review guidelines outlined by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews, using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology to analyse healthcare administration approaches in LMICs.

Data sources
PubMed, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, EconLit, Science Direct and Scopus were searched using a set of search terms from 19 December 2023 to 16 January 2024. An additional high-level search was performed in May 2025.

Eligibility criteria
Selection of a variety of peer-reviewed publications with a setting in LMICs. Articles were included if they described an intervention strategy related to select paediatric chronic diseases, endocrine conditions or non-communicable diseases. The treatment strategies in question were government initiatives, mobile health, specialised programmes and primary care.

Data extraction and synthesis
One reviewer manually reviewed articles and documented findings on Microsoft Excel. In accordance with JBI methodological guidelines, no risk of bias assessment or quality appraisal of included studies was conducted.

Results
After reviewing primary care, specialised care, government intervention programmes and mobile care initiatives within developing countries, primary care with an emphasis on task shifting emerged as the best approach for treating paediatric endocrine disorders.

Conclusion
Despite recommendations favouring specialised care or government interventions, primary care proves to be the optimal method for treating endocrine conditions. Given limited healthcare funding in LMICs, implementing primary care initiatives can achieve significant health outcomes while maximising resources.

Objective
To examine the association between behavioural risk factors and their physiological sequelae among adults aged 40 and above in Bo District, Sierra Leone.

Design
Cross-sectional study.

Setting
Household survey in Bo District, Sierra Leone.

Participants
The study included 1978 randomly sampled adults aged 40 and above (44.4% male and 55.6% female). The majority of participants were aged 40–49 years (34.5%). Data were collected using a household survey based on the validated WHO STEPs questionnaire.

Methods
Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine associations between behavioural risk factors (diet, physical activity and salt intake) and the presence of hypertension, diabetes and/or obesity, adjusting for sociodemographic variables.

Primary outcome measure
The primary outcomes were the presence of hypertension, diabetes or overweight/obesity. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure of ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure of ≥90 (measured); diabetes as fasting glucose of ≥7.0 mmol/L, random plasma glucose level of ≥11.1 mmol/L or the use of antidiabetic medications (self-reported) and overweight/obesity as having a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m² (measured).

Results
At least one physiological risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, that is, hypertension, obesity or diabetes, was present in 43.5% of participants. Hypertension was associated with urban living (OR=1.46, 95% CI (1.41 to 1.51)), older age (OR for 80+=3.98, 95% CI (3.70 to 4.28)), insufficient fruit and vegetable intake (OR=1.52, 95% CI (1.46 to 1.60)) and low physical activity (OR=1.35, 95% CI (1.27 to 1.43)). Diabetes was associated with urban residence (OR=1.84, 95% CI (1.66 to 2.05)), older age (OR for 70–79=3.82, 95% CI (3.28 to 4.45)), low fruit and vegetable consumption (OR=1.61, 95% CI (1.36 to 1.90)), high salt intake (OR=1.34, 95% CI (1.21 to 1.49)) and low physical activity (OR=1.47, 95% CI (1.26 to 1.71)). Obesity was associated with urban living (OR=1.66, 95% CI (1.59 to 1.72)), high salt intake from two or more sources (OR=1.21, 95% CI (1.17 to 1.25)) and low physical activity (OR=1.30, 95% CI (1.22 to 1.39)). Male sex (OR=0.37, 95% CI (0.36 to 0.38)) and older age (OR for 80+=0.39, 95% CI (0.35 to 0.43)) were protective factors.

Conclusions
In Bo District, nearly half of adults over 40 face hypertension, diabetes or obesity, especially urban dwellers, older age groups and those eating too few fruits and vegetables, consuming excess salt and getting little exercise. Public health efforts should focus on urban-targeted nutrition education, salt-reduction strategies, community exercise programmes and routine blood pressure and glucose screening, working with local leaders to ensure sustainable lifestyle changes and early disease detection.

Objective
To evaluate any association of the presence and severity of nine major symptoms (pain, tiredness, drowsiness, nausea, appetite, breathlessness, depression, anxiety, and perceived well-being) with sleep quality and duration in elderly men.

Design and setting
Cross-sectional analysis within the population-based VAScular and Chronic Obstructive Lung disease study (VASCOL) conducted in southern Sweden in 2019.

Participants
A total of 838 older men aged 73 years.

Measures
Severity of the symptoms was self-reported between 0 and 10 on a numerical rating scale. Breathlessness was also assessed using the Multidimensional Dyspnoea Profile and Dyspnoea-12. Sleep quality was reported on a 5-point Likert scale from ‘very well’ to ‘very bad’and sleep duration on a 7-point scale from ‘less than 4 hours’ to ‘more than 10 hours’. Associations of each symptom score with having worse sleep quality (‘bad’ or ‘very bad’) and/or shorter sleep duration (

We propose a global tracer indicator for measuring effective coverage of rehabilitation at the population level that is captured through population-based surveys. This global indicator uses chronic primary low back pain as the tracer health condition and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 12-item to assess whether quality interventions have been provided that produce the desired health gain.

Annals of Internal Medicine, Ahead of Print.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage in the knee joint wears down, causing the bone adjacent to the joint to proliferate; often, inflammation is present due to abnormal biomechanics and reactions to the debris released from the degenerating cartilage. OA is the most common joint disorder in the US with symptomatic knee OA present in 10% of men and 13% of women 60 years or older and can significantly impact mobility over time if left untreated. To date, there are no medical treatments that can slow the progression of the disease. Guidelines provided by professional societies recommend lifestyle interventions including weight loss and exercise and pharmacologic treatments including medications to treat the joint pain, nutraceuticals, and intermittent joint injections with either glucocorticoids or hyaluronic acid. Numerous clinical studies have evaluated disease-modifying therapies for OA such as potent anti-inflammatories, molecules to stimulate cartilage growth, and antiresorptive agents (eg, bisphosphonates to reduce bone remodeling). However, none have been successful in late-stage clinical trials to slow the progression of the disease.

To the Editor Tu et al conducted a large randomized clinical trial comparing acupuncture to sham acupuncture for chronic sciatica from herniated disc. They found acupuncture led to less pain and improved function at week 4, with benefits lasting through week 52. The authors suggest acupuncture as a potential treatment for chronic sciatica from a herniated disc. We raise a few points for consideration.

To the Editor We read with interest a recent randomized clinical trial that investigated the efficacy and safety of acupuncture compared with sham acupuncture in patients with chronic sciatica from herniated discs. In this trial conducted in 6 tertiary-level hospitals in China, acupuncture resulted in less pain and better function compared with sham acupuncture at week 4. An Editor’s Note called the trial “methodologically rigorous.”

This Viewpoint discusses the need to develop products, such as long-acting antiretrovirals, for people with HIV in settings with minimal resource requirements.

This randomized clinical trial investigates whether methotrexate has symptom-relieving and disease-modifying effects for participants with inflammatory knee osteoarthritis and effusion-synovitis.