Publications by authors named "Mary Ann Zhang"
Objective: To examine impact of pre-existing and incident problematic musculoskeletal (MSK) areas after total knee replacement (TKR) on postoperative 60-month Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain/function scores.
Methods: Using data from a randomized controlled trial of subjects undergoing TKR for osteoarthritis, we assessed problematic MSK areas in six body regions before TKR and 12, 24, 36, and 48 months after TKR. We defined the following two variables: 1) density count (number of problematic MSK areas occurring after TKR; range 0-24) and 2) cumulative density count (problematic MSK areas both before and after TKR, categorized into four levels: no preoperative areas and density count of 0-1 [reference group]; no preoperative areas and density count of 2 or more; one or more preoperative areas and density count of 0-1; and one or more preoperative areas and density count of 2 or greater).
2020 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the Management of Gout.
Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken)
June 2020
Objective: To provide guidance for the management of gout, including indications for and optimal use of urate-lowering therapy (ULT), treatment of gout flares, and lifestyle and other medication recommendations.
Methods: Fifty-seven population, intervention, comparator, and outcomes questions were developed, followed by a systematic literature review, including network meta-analyses with ratings of the available evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology, and patient input. A group consensus process was used to compose the final recommendations and grade their strength as strong or conditional.
Objective: To provide guidance for the management of gout, including indications for and optimal use of urate-lowering therapy (ULT), treatment of gout flares, and lifestyle and other medication recommendations.
Methods: Fifty-seven population, intervention, comparator, and outcomes questions were developed, followed by a systematic literature review, including network meta-analyses with ratings of the available evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology, and patient input. A group consensus process was used to compose the final recommendations and grade their strength as strong or conditional.
Objective: The objective of this study was to measure cumulative incidence and incidence rate and identify factors associated with new musculoskeletal (MSK) symptomatic areas after total knee replacement (TKR) for osteoarthritis (OA).
Methods: Using data from a randomized controlled trial of patients undergoing elective TKR for OA, we assessed for MSK symptomatic areas by region (neck, hands/wrists/arms/shoulders, back, hips, nonindex knee, and ankles/feet) at baseline (pre-TKR), and at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months post-TKR. Cumulative incidence and incidence rates were calculated for each region.
Objective: To determine the relationship between omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) consumption (dietary or supplemental) and risk of gout flares.
Methods: We used data from the Boston University Online Gout Study, an internet-based case-crossover study conducted from February 2003 to January 2012. At the times of gout flares (hazard period) and during gout flare-free periods (control periods), participants completed questionnaires regarding exposures, including supplements and diet, during the preceding 48 hours.
Article Synopsis
- The study examined the risk of injury to the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) during ultrasound-guided hip injections.
- It involved three parts: cadaveric injections, live ultrasound trajectory marking by rheumatologists, and a survey on vascular complications during joint injections.
- Results indicated that there is a significant risk of LCFA injury, with only a fraction of rheumatologists routinely using Doppler ultrasound, suggesting it should be adopted in standard hip injection practices.
Background: Hyperuricemia and gout are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Xanthine oxidase inhibitors, allopurinol and febuxostat, are the mainstay of urate-lowering treatment for gout and may have different effects on cardiovascular risk in patients with gout.
Methods: Using US Medicare claims data (2008-2013), we conducted a cohort study for comparative cardiovascular safety of initiating febuxostat versus allopurinol among patients with gout ≥65 years of age.
Background: Patients with gout are at an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease including myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and heart failure (HF).
Objectives: The authors conducted a cohort study to examine comparative CV safety of the 2 gout treatments-probenecid and allopurinol-in patients with gout.
Methods: Among gout patients ≥65 years of age and enrolled in Medicare (2008 to 2013), those who initiated probenecid or allopurinol were identified.