Greater pre-operative anxiety, pain and poorer function predict a worse outcome of a total knee arthroplasty

Purpose: Around 10–30 % of patients are dissatisfied with the results of their total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This review aimed to identify and evaluate the predictors of outcome measured by the three domains of health-related quality of life (pain, stiffness and function). The focus was on pre-operative psychological factors as related to other patient-related variables. Methods: A systematic search was performed using the following databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, AMED, CINAHL, PsychINFO, SciFinder, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane, Lilacs, Web of Science and ScienceDirect. The quality of identified studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Cohort checklist. Results: Ten studies met the eligibility criteria. From these, nine patient-related predictors of outcome were identified (depression, anxiety, age at surgery, gender (being female), medical co-morbidities, BMI, level of education, pre-operative pain severity and pre-operative knee function). Greater anxiety, pre-operative pain and function were the most significant factors to predict a poorer outcome of a TKA. The results of depression, gender (female), medical co-morbidities, BMI and level of education were variable among the included studies. There was very little evidence to support older age at operation as a predictor of poorer outcome. Conclusion: Patients experiencing high levels of pain before surgery should be informed of the chances of improvement by having a TKA. A validated psychological screening tool that separates depression and anxiety is recommended as part of the pre-operative assessment stage. Patients presenting with symptoms of depression and anxiety should be identified and consulted before a TKA

Children's experiences of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME):a systematic review and meta-ethnography of qualitative studies

Objective To synthesis the qualitative studies of children's experiences of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). Design Systematic review and meta-ethnography. Background CFS/ME is an important disabling illness, with uncertain cause and prognosis. As a result, children with CFS/ME can find themselves living with greater uncertainty and stigma, exacerbating the impact of the condition. There is a growing body of qualitative research in CFS/ME, yet there has been no attempt to systematically synthesis the studies involving children. Methods Studies exploring the experiences of children diagnosed with CFS/ME, published or unpublished, using qualitative methods were eligible. MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL databases were searched as well as grey literature, reference lists and contacting authors. Quality assessment was done independently using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. Studies were synthesised using techniques of meta-ethnography. Results Ten studies involving 82 children with CFS/ME aged 8–18 were included. Our synthesis describes four third-order constructs within children's experiences: (1) disruption and loss: physical, social and the self; (2) barriers to coping: suspension in uncertainty, problems with diagnosis and disbelief; (3) facilitators to coping: reducing uncertainty, credible illness narratives, diagnosis and supportive relationships and (4) hope, personal growth and recovery. CFS/ME introduces profound biographical disruption through its effects on children's ability to socialise, perform school and therefore how they see their future. Unfamiliarity of the condition, problems with diagnosis and felt stigma prevent children from forming a new illness identity. Children adopt coping strategies such as building credible explanations for their illness. Conclusions Physical, social, emotional and self-dimensions of life should be included when treating and measuring outcomes from healthcare in paediatric CFS/ME. There is a need for greater recognition and diagnosis of childhood CFS/ME, specialist advice on activity management and improved communication between health and education providers to help children cope with their condition