Muscle Strength, Oxygen Saturation and Physical Activity in Patients with Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome Compared to Asymptomatic Controls

# Background One of the most common causes of exercise-induced pain in the lower leg is chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS). Research is limited on muscle strength, oxygen saturation and physical activity in patients with CECS. # Purpose To compare muscle strength, oxygen saturation, and daily physical activity between patients with CECS and matched asymptomatic controls. A secondary purpose was to investigate the association between oxygen saturation and lower leg pain in patients with CECS. # Study Design Case-control study. # Method Maximal isometric muscle strength of the ankle plantar and dorsiflexors was tested in patients with CECS and sex- and age-matched controls using an isokinetic dynamometer and oxygen saturation (StO~2~) during running was tested by near infrared spectroscopy. Perceived pain and exertion were measured during the test using the Numeric Rating Scale and Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale and the exercise-induced leg pain questionnaire. Physical activity was assessed by accelerometry. # Results Twenty-four patients with CECS and 24 controls were included. There were no differences in maximal isometric plantar or dorsiflexion muscle strength between patients and controls. Baseline StO~2~ was 4.5pp (95% CI: 0.7;8.3) lower for patients with CECS than for controls, whereas no difference existed when they experienced pain or reached exhaustion. No differences were found in daily physical activities, except that on average, patients with CECS spent less time cycling daily. During the StO~2~ measurement, patients experienced pain or reached exhaustion while running significantly earlier than the controls (p<0.001). StO~2~ was not associated with leg pain. # Conclusion Patients with CECS have similar leg muscle strength, oxygen saturation and physical activity levels as asymptomatic controls. However, patients with CECS experienced significantly higher levels of lower leg pain than the controls during running, daily activities and at rest. Oxygen saturation and lower leg pain were not associated. # Level of Evidence Level 3b

Daily activity and functional performance in people with chronic disease: A cross-sectional study

The aim of this study was to describe the physical activity profiles, in patients with stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis and to investigate the association between physical activity and functional performance. Physical activity profiles were conducted using tri-axial accelerometers and functional performance was examined by the “Six-Spot Step Test” and the “Timed Up and Go”. Patients daily performed 5896 ± 3176 steps with an average cadence of 88.3 ± 11.1, 368 ± 418 inclined walking steps and 50 ± 16 sit-stand transfers. Daily activity was modestly explained by functional performance. The activity profiles showed a large variance in activity parameters and results suggest that activity parameters and the two functional performance tests are different constructs

Mission, Organization, and Future Direction of the Serological Sciences Network for COVID-19 (SeroNet) Epidemiologic Cohort Studies.

BackgroundGlobal efforts are needed to elucidate the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the underlying cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including seroprevalence, risk factors, and long-term sequelae, as well as immune responses after vaccination across populations and the social dimensions of prevention and treatment strategies.MethodsIn the United States, the National Cancer Institute in partnership with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, established the SARS-CoV-2 Serological Sciences Network (SeroNet) as the nation's largest coordinated effort to study coronavirus disease 2019. The network comprises multidisciplinary researchers bridging gaps and fostering collaborations among immunologists, epidemiologists, virologists, clinicians and clinical laboratories, social and behavioral scientists, policymakers, data scientists, and community members. In total, 49 institutions form the SeroNet consortium to study individuals with cancer, autoimmune disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, cardiovascular diseases, human immunodeficiency virus, transplant recipients, as well as otherwise healthy pregnant women, children, college students, and high-risk occupational workers (including healthcare workers and first responders).ResultsSeveral studies focus on underrepresented populations, including ethnic minorities and rural communities. To support integrative data analyses across SeroNet studies, efforts are underway to define common data elements for standardized serology measurements, cellular and molecular assays, self-reported data, treatment, and clinical outcomes.ConclusionsIn this paper, we discuss the overarching framework for SeroNet epidemiology studies, critical research questions under investigation, and data accessibility for the worldwide scientific community. Lessons learned will help inform preparedness and responsiveness to future emerging diseases