Leveraging the Clinical Translational Science Award Network to Advance Family Medicine Research.

In this commentary, the authors present opportunities for the family medicine's strategic plan for research to build and expand research infrastructure by leveraging the federally funded Clinical and Translational Science and Clinical and Translational Research Awards programs. These include engaging patients and communities historically underrepresented in research throughout the research design, development, implementation, and dissemination process; building and expanding practice-based research networks; leveraging research resources, facilities, trainings, and mentorship opportunities; obtaining pilot funding; using informatics expertise to improve care quality; and embedding dissemination and implementation science expertise to promote the use of evidence-based interventions in real world clinical primary care settings.

Effectiveness of Hypertonic Dextrose Injection (Prolotherapy) in Plantar Fasciopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objective: To systematically review the effectiveness of hypertonic dextrose prolotherapy (DPT) in plantar fasciopathy (PF) compared with other non-surgical treatments.

Data Sources: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Global Health, Ovid Nursing Database, Dimensions, and WHO ICTRP were searched from inception to April 30th, 2022.

Study Selection: Two independent reviewers selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effectiveness of DPT in PF compared with non-surgical treatments.

Treatment with stimulants and the risk of COVID-19 complications in adults with ADHD.

Adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have shown higher infection rates and worse outcomes from COVID-19. Stimulant medications are prescribed as the first-line treatment for ADHD in adults and mitigate risk of negative ADHD-related health outcomes, but little is known about the association between stimulant medications and COVID-19 outcomes. The objective of this study was to assess the risks of severe COVID-19 outcomes among people with ADHD who were prescribed stimulant medications versus those who were not.

Metformin use and the risk of total knee replacement among diabetic patients: a propensity-score-matched retrospective cohort study.

Metformin has been shown to modulate meta-inflammation, an important pathogenesis in knee osteoarthritis (OA). The study aimed to test the association between regular metformin use with total knee replacement (TKR) in patients with diabetes. This is a retrospective study with electronic records retrieved in Hong Kong public primary care.

Language Matters: It Is Time We Change How We Talk About Addiction and its Treatment.

The way we communicate about addiction, its treatment, and treatment outcomes matters to individuals affected by addiction, their families, and communities. Stigmatizing language can worsen addiction-related stigma and outcomes. Although non-professional terminology may be used by individuals with addiction, the role of clinicians, educators, researchers, policymakers, and community and cultural leaders is to actively work toward destigmatization of addiction and its treatment, in part through the use of non-stigmatizing language.

Dextrose Prolotherapy: A Narrative Review of Basic Science, Clinical Research, and Best Treatment Recommendations.

Prolotherapy involves the injection of nonbiologic solutions, typically at soft tissue attachments and within joint spaces, to reduce pain and improve function in painful musculoskeletal conditions. A variety of solutions have been used; dextrose prolotherapy is the most rigorously studied and is the focus of this review. Although the mechanism of action is not clearly known, it is likely to be multifactorial.

Effectiveness of nasal irrigation for chronic rhinosinusitis and fatigue in patients with Gulf War illness: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Gulf War Illness (GWI) affects 1 in 7 returned Persian Gulf War veterans. Quality-of-life impact is large; there is no cure. Chronic sinus symptoms and fatigue are common.

Relationships between biomechanics, tendon pathology, and function in individuals with lateral epicondylosis.

Study Design: Single-cohort descriptive and correlational study.

Objectives: To investigate the relationships between tendon pathology, biomechanical measures, and self-reported pain and function in individuals with chronic lateral epicondylosis.

Background: Lateral epicondylosis has a multifactorial etiology and its pathophysiology is not well understood.

Effect of lateral epicondylosis on grip force development.

Study Design: Case-Control.

Introduction: Although it is well known that grip strength is adversely affected by lateral epicondylosis (LE), the effect of LE on rapid grip force generation is unclear.

Purpose Of The Study: To evaluate the effect of LE on the ability to rapidly generate grip force.

The effect of lateral epicondylosis on upper limb mechanical parameters.

Background: Lateral epicondylosis is a prevalent and costly musculoskeletal disorder characterized by degeneration of the common extensor tendon origin at the lateral epicondyle. Grip strength is commonly affected due to lateral epicondylosis. However, less is known about the effect of lateral epicondylosis on other functional parameters such as ability to react to rapid loading.

Musculoskeletal applications of platelet-rich plasma: fad or future?

Objective: The purpose of this article is to detail the biology of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), critically review the existing literature, and discuss future research applications needed to adopt PRP as a mainstay treatment method for common musculoskeletal injuries.

Conclusion: Any promising minimally invasive therapy such as PRP deserves further investigation to avoid surgery. Diagnostic imaging outcome assessments, including ultrasound-guided needle precision, should be included in future investigations.

The efficacy of prolotherapy for lateral epicondylosis: a pilot study.

Objectives: To assess whether prolotherapy, an injection-based therapy, improves elbow pain, grip strength, and extension strength in patients with lateral epicondylosis.

Setting: Outpatient Sport Medicine clinic.

Study Design: Double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Response of knee ligaments to prolotherapy in a rat injury model.

Background: Prolotherapy is an alternative therapy for chronic musculoskeletal injury including joint laxity. The commonly used injectant, D-glucose (dextrose), is hypothesized to improve ligament mechanics and decrease pain through an inflammatory mechanism. No study has investigated the mechanical effects of prolotherapy on stretch-injured ligaments.

Early inflammatory response of knee ligaments to prolotherapy in a rat model.

Prolotherapy is an alternative injection-based therapy for chronic musculoskeletal pain. Three different proliferants, D-glucose (dextrose), phenol-glucose-glycerine (P2G), and sodium morrhuate, used in prolotherapy are hypothesized to strengthen and reorganize chronically injured soft tissue and decrease pain through modulation of the inflammatory process. Our hypothesis is that commonly used prolotherapy solutions will induce inflammation (leukocyte and macrophage infiltration) in medial collateral ligaments (MCLs) compared to needlestick, saline injection, and no-injection controls.

CAM therapies among primary care patients using opioid therapy for chronic pain.

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is an increasingly common therapy used to treat chronic pain syndromes. However; there is limited information on the utilization and efficacy of CAM therapy in primary care patients receiving long-term opioid therapy.

Method: A survey of CAM therapy was conducted with a systematic sample of 908 primary care patients receiving opioids as a primary treatment method for chronic pain.