Multicentre use of a porous tantalum monoblock acetabular component

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the minimum five-year prospective results from the multicentre use of a porous tantalum monoblock acetabular component for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). A multicentre study was performed in 253 consecutive primary THAs in three separate surgical centres. All patients underwent identical postoperative protocols including radiological and clinical evaluation. The average preoperative total HHS score was 44.0 +/- 13.8 and increased at one-year follow-up to 95.2 +/- 4.8 (p < 0.05), remaining constant through the five-year follow-up at 97.0 +/- 6.2 (p < 0.05). There was no radiographic evidence of gross polyethylene wear, progressive radiolucencies, osteolytic lesions, acetabular fracture, or component subsidence. From these results, we can recommend the continued use of this material for acetabular components in primary THA and that further review of the current multicentre population is warranted to determine the long-term durability of the acetabular composite

Validity and reproducibility of HOMA-IR, 1/HOMA-IR, QUICKI and McAuley's indices in patients with hypertension and type II diabetes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, its reciprocal (1/HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and McAuley's index in hypertensive diabetic patients. In 78 patients with hypertension and type II diabetes glucose, insulin and triglyceride levels were determined after a 12-h fast to calculate these indices, and insulin sensitivity (IS) was measured with the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp technique. Two weeks later, subjects had again their glucose, insulin and triglycerides measured. Simple and multiple linear regression analysis were applied to assess the validity of these indices compared to clamp IS and coefficients of variation between the two visits were estimated to assess their reproducibility. HOMA-IR index was strongly and inversely correlated with the basic IS clamp index, the M-value (r = 0.572, P < 0.001), M- value normalized with subjects' body weight or fat-free mass and every other clamp-derived index. 1/HOMA-IR and QUICKI indices were positively correlated with the M- value (r = 0.342, P < 0.05 and r = 0.456, P < 0.01, respectively) and the rest clamp indices. McAuley's index generally presented less strong correlations ( r = 0.317, P < 0.05 with M- value). In multivariate analysis, HOMA-IR was the best fit of clampderived IS. Coefficients of variation between the two visits were 23.5% for HOMA-IR, 19.2% for 1/HOMA-IR, 7.8% for QUICKI and 15.1% for McAuley's index. In conclusion, HOMA- IR, 1/HOMA-IR and QUICKI are valid estimates of clamp-derived IS in patients with hypertension and type II diabetes, whereas the validity of McAuley's index needs further evaluation. QUICKI displayed better reproducibility than the other indices