Early versus persistent Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Is there a difference in patient reported outcomes following rehabilitation?

Background: Expert consensus asserts that early treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) leads to better outcomes. Yet no evidence supports this assumption regarding the recognized gold standard of multidisciplinary functional rehabilitation. To address this, we aimed to establish if there is a difference in outcomes between early CRPS (<1 year symptom duration) and persistent CRPS (= >1 year symptom duration) following rehabilitation and whether any gains are maintained at three months.

Global series: Complex regional pain syndrome: abstracts from the International Association for the Study of Pain complex regional pain syndrome SIG virtual symposia 2021.

The aim of this IASP complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) SIG Global Series 2021 was to bring together clinicians including those from developing countries to better understand the clinical presentation of complex regional pain syndrome in countries with less well-published patient populations. The purpose was to learn from each other about the range of treatments, successful outcomes, and challenges experienced. These meeting proceedings comprise abstracts from nine countries that span 4 continents and are summaries of online presentations delivered by speakers representing these countries over the course of 2 symposia.

Whole-body single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography for assessment of oncological bone disease - is an extended field of view (from vertex to toes) of clinical value?

Objectives: Whole-body single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (WB-SPECT/CT) is useful for diagnosing bone metastases. When performed on a dual-headed gamma camera, this may cover from clavicles to proximal femurs due to time constraints. In contrast, the novel 360 o cadmium-zinc-telluride scanner can perform WB-SPECT/CT (from vertex to toes) in approximately 20 min.

Comparing the patient experience between a novel 360° gamma camera (VERITON-CT) and a conventional dual head gamma camera.

To explore whether the novel 360° gamma camera design of VERITON-CT adversely affects the rate of scan non-completion due to claustrophobia or other patient experience factors, when compared to a standard dual-headed gamma camera. Single centre prospective study of all nuclear medicine studies on either of two gamma cameras; the VERITON-CT (Spectrum Dynamics Medical) and Discovery NM/CT 670 (GE Healthcare). It was recorded whether the patient had completed the scan as protocoled or, due to claustrophobia, had a shortened scan or no scan.

Pain Assessment for Individuals with Advanced Dementia in Care Homes: A Systematic Review.

Pain is prevalent in older people, especially in those with advanced dementia who have communication impairments. Although pain is recognised to be present in this population, it is often under-assessed and ineffectively managed. The assessment of pain in advanced dementia is extremely challenging and complex, particularly in institutional settings such as care homes.

Identification of the source events for aerosol generation during oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy.

Objective: To determine if oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD) generates increased levels of aerosol in conscious patients and identify the source events.

Design: A prospective, environmental aerosol monitoring study, undertaken in an ultraclean environment, on patients undergoing OGD. Sampling was performed 20 cm away from the patient's mouth using an optical particle sizer.

The effect of respiratory activity, non-invasive respiratory support and facemasks on aerosol generation and its relevance to COVID-19.

Respirable aerosols (< 5 µm in diameter) present a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Guidelines recommend using aerosol precautions during aerosol-generating procedures, and droplet (> 5 µm) precautions at other times. However, emerging evidence indicates respiratory activities may be a more important source of aerosols than clinical procedures such as tracheal intubation.

Intramuscular oxytocin versus Syntometrine versus carbetocin for prevention of primary postpartum haemorrhage after vaginal birth: a randomised double-blinded clinical trial of effectiveness, side effects and quality of life.

Objective: To compare intramuscular oxytocin, Syntometrine and carbetocin for prevention of postpartum haemorrhage after vaginal birth.

Design: Randomised double-blinded clinical trial.

Setting: Six hospitals in England.

Perspectives of Patients With Rheumatic Diseases in the Early Phase of COVID-19.

Objective: To determine health perceptions of patients with rheumatic diseases in the early phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: Rheumatology patients at a single center received via text message the Australian Rheumatology Association COVID-19 information sheet and an invitation to participate in a deidentified survey. Patient concerns regarding risks conferred by their rheumatologic disease or medications, impact of receiving the information sheet on the likelihood of staying on medication, and acceptance of telehealth were ascertained.

A developmental arrest? Interruption and identity in adolescent chronic pain.

Introduction: Although the pediatric pain literature has explored the role of developmental factors in young children's acute pain, relatively less is known about specific developmental challenges in adolescents with chronic pain.

Objectives: To meet this knowledge gap, this study sought to adopt an idiographic phenomenological approach to examine how adolescents make sense of their own development in the context of living with chronic pain.

Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with ten adolescents (12-17 years; 7 females) recruited from a tertiary care pain treatment programme.

Psychologically informed physiotherapy for chronic pain: patient experiences of treatment and therapeutic process.

Objectives: Psychologically informed physiotherapy is used widely with patients with chronic pain. This study aimed to investigate patients' beliefs about, and experiences of, this type of treatment, and helpful and unhelpful experiences.

Design: A qualitative study using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of semi-structured interviews.

Pseudo-outbreaks of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia on an intensive care unit in England.

Background: In June 2014, a cluster of identical S. maltophilia isolates was reported in an adult intensive care unit (ICU) at a district general hospital. An outbreak control team was convened to investigate the cluster and inform control measures.

Effectiveness of physiotherapy exercise following total knee replacement: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Rehabilitation, with an emphasis on physiotherapy and exercise, is widely promoted after total knee replacement. However, provision of services varies in content and duration. The aim of this study is to update the review of Minns Lowe and colleagues 2007 using systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of post-discharge physiotherapy exercise in patients with primary total knee replacement.

Variation in lung cancer survival rates between countries: do differences in data reporting contribute?

Background: Mortality rates from lung cancer are known to vary considerably between countries. Differences in patients, disease, investigation and treatment are thought to account for some survival shortfalls but it is not known whether differences in collection or processing of data also contribute.

Methodology: We searched recognised sources where information regarding mortality rates have been published for the United Kingdom, Europe and United States (US).

How long does it take to perform an operative vaginal delivery?

We set out to see how long it takes to achieve an operative vaginal delivery in normal practice. This was a prospective survey, conducted in a major and well-staffed British maternity unit over 1 month. Sixty-two assisted vaginal deliveries occurred in the month of the study.