Prevalence and Economic Burden of Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Medically Underserved Rio Grande Valley: A Retrospective Longitudinal Analysis.

Introduction Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, two of the most common forms of arthritis worldwide, are chronic diseases affecting the joints. The Rio Grande Valley is characterized by an abundance of health disparities, with previous studies showing increased rates of multiple diseases and disorders in this region. This study aimed to determine both the prevalence and the risk-adjusted average cost of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in the Rio Grande Valley and to compare them with the national average.

Burden of Diabetes Mellitus in the Medically Underserved Rio Grande Valley.

Introduction Diabetes mellitus (DM) encompasses metabolic disorders characterized by elevated blood sugar. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and associated metrics of DM in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), a low-income and medically underserved region in the United States, and compare these metrics to the national averages from 2012 to 2022. Methods  A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using publicly accessible data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The Morbidity of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome Versus That of Patients Awaiting Total Hip Replacement.

Background: Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is a commonly diagnosed medical issue, yet there are little data assessing the relative morbidity of GTPS. We sought to characterize the morbidity on presentation of GTPS and compare it to that of patients with end-stage hip osteoarthritis awaiting total hip arthroplasty. We hypothesized that patients with GTPS would have morbidity similar to or worse than that of patients with osteoarthritis.

Hip Preservation Surgery in Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome and Acetabular Dysplasia Improves Functional Measures and Pain Catastrophizing.

Background Chronic hip pain is a debilitating condition that severely reduces one's quality of life. Prior studies uncovered a link between hip pathologies and pain catastrophizing, anxiety, and depression. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether hip preservation surgery in patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) and acetabular dysplasia (AD) improves functional outcomes and pain catastrophizing.

Periacetabular osteotomy: an analysis of social media to determine the most common questions asked by the periacetabular osteotomy population.

Background: The Bernese Periacetabular Osteotomy (PAO) has become a popular surgery for fixing development dysplasia of the hip, yet the most common concerns of the PAO population remains ambiguous. The aim of this study was to investigate Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to further understand what the most common preoperative and postoperative questions patients undergoing PAO are asking. We hypothesized most questions would be asked by patients in the preoperative timeframe with regards to education surrounding PAO surgery.

Bridging Bone Health: Osteoporosis Disparities in the Rio Grande Valley.

Introduction: Osteoporosis is characterized by decreased bone mass and decreased bone quality, leading to increased bone fragility and risk of fractures. The number of fractures due to osteoporosis is projected to increase to over three million by the year 2025 and cost $25.3 billion annually.