Guidelines Update eBook-2011

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News By Topic: Guidelines

Update

A collection of interview-based articles on recent guidelines by leading experts.

Read some of our top articles on the most recent guidelines for depression, stroke, Achilles tendon rupture, and more!

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Table of Contents14 A Guideline Update for Major Depressive Disorder

— Alan J. Gelenberg, MD

18 Updated Guidelines: Primary Stroke Prevention — Larry B. Goldstein, MD

10 Updated Guidelines for Secondary Stroke Prevention — Robert J. Adams, MD

112 Guidelines for Managing Achilles Tendon Rupture — Christopher P. Chiodo, MD

116 Guidelines for Managing Patients With Shoulder Arthritis — Rolando Izquierdo, MD

120 Guidelines Update: Managing Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage — Lewis B. Morgenstern, MD, FAHA, FAAN

Physician’s Weekly™ (ISSN 1047-3793) is published by Physician’s Weekly, LLC, a News Partner of Pri-Med, and a division of M/C Holding Corp. The service is free for qualifying institutions. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information. Offices: Physician’s Weekly, LLC, 2445 Kuser Road, Suite 202, Hamilton, NJ 08790; and 180 Mount Airy Road, Suite 102, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920. Reproduction without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Copyright 2011, Physician’s Weekly, LLC.

A Message From the EditorWe at Physician’s Weekly are excited to present you with an eBook dedicated to feature stories we’ve covered on clinical guidelines that have recently been released. Our publication has published a variety of news items pertaining to guidelines that focus on clinical and evidence-based research. The content in these articles relies on the expertise of our contributing physician authors. Physician’s Weekly will continue to feature news about guidelines in the coming months, and we hope that you find this information useful in your practice. Please let us know your thoughts by contacting us at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Keith D’Oria Managing Editor, Physician’s Weekly

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The impact of major depressive disorder (MDD) on patients and their families is substantial. MDD adversely affects the patient as well as

others, with the most serious complication of a major depressive episode being suicide. The disorder has also been associated with significant medical

comorbidity. It can complicate recovery from other medical illnesses. Furthermore, MDD affects patients’ marital, parental, social, and vocational functioning. The disorder is unremitting in about 15% of patients and recurrent in another 35%. Compounding the problem is that treatment is often delayed. These factors highlight the need for changes in the delivery of mental health services to enhance timeliness and quality of care in MDD. With treatment, however, the prognosis associated with MDD is generally good. Most patients will respond to acute treatment, and continuation and maintenance therapy with acutely active treatments has been shown to lower the risk and severity of relapses into depression.

The American Psychiatric Association has updated its practice guideline for the treatment of major depressive disorder and includes new recommendations on antidepressants, depression-focused psychotherapies, and somatic treatments.

A Guideline Update for Major Depressive Disorder

March 12, 2011

Click here to view this article online.

Alan J. Gelenberg, MDProfessor and ChairDepartment of Psychiatry

Penn State University

http://www.physiciansweekly.com/Features/11_12/major_depressive_disorder.html


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Revisiting Previous GuidelinesIn 2010, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) released a new clinical practice guideline for the treatment of patients with MDD. This document (available online at www.psych.org/guidelines/mdd2010 ), the third since guidelines were originally created by the APA for MDD, revises a previous version that was published about a decade ago. “It includes new evidence-based recommendations on the use of antidepressant medications, depression-focused psychotherapies, and somatic treatments, such as

electroconvulsive therapy,” says Alan J. Gelenberg, MD, who chaired the workgroup that developed the recommendations. “The guideline also addresses other topics, such as alternative and complementary treatments, treating depression during pregnancy, and strategies for treatment-resistant depression.”

It took approximately 5 years to update the APA guidelines, Dr. Gelenberg says. “The update involved intense review, discussion, and thoughtful revision-making. We believe this update will enhance patient care, and we’re hopeful they’ll improve lives for many patients.” The workgroup consisted of APA members with extensive research and clinical expertise in the assessment and treatment of MDD. It reviewed over 13,000 articles that were published from 1999—when the search from the previous edition ended—to 2006. Draft versions of the guideline underwent extensive review by experts in psychiatry, allied physician organizations, patient advocacy groups, and members of the APA.

What’s New?The 2010 guideline update includes new information on depression rating scales, strategies for treatment-resistant depression, recommendations on exercise and other healthy behaviors, and a strengthened recommendation on maintenance treatment. While this new information is a welcome addition, Dr. Gelenberg notes that formulating plans for enhancing medication adherence (Table 1) and for appropriate patient monitoring (Table 2) are still paramount to providing quality care. “It’s important that physicians make time to address the patient’s need for treatment and follow-up with them closely and frequently to optimize results,” he says.

With regard to rating scales, the APA guideline recommends using a clinician- and/or patient-administered rating scale to assess the type, frequency, and magnitude of psychiatric symptoms. This may enable healthcare providers to tailor treatment plans

It’s important that physicians make time to address the patient’s need for treatment and follow-up with

them closely and frequently to optimize results.—Alan J. Gelenberg, MD

Table 1 Enhancing Treatment AdherenceThe following strategies are recommended to enhance patient adherence to treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD):

• Provide education about MDD and its treatment.

• Maintain a strong therapeutic alliance.

• Mobilize family and other supports (elicit questions, clarifying common misconceptions).

• Evaluate factors affecting adherence.

• Address barriers to adherence as they arise.

• Consider patient preferences.

• Encourage discussions on adherence concerns of patients.

• Tailor treatments to individual patients.

• Minimize costs and complexity of medication regimens.

When medication is used for MDD, the following should be emphasized:

1) Explain when and how often to take the medicine.

2) Suggest reminder systems, such as pill boxes, alarms, etc.

3) Discuss the need to take medication for at least 2-4 weeks before beneficial effects may be noticed.

4) Emphasize the need to take medication even after feeling better.

5) Review the need to consult with the psychiatrist before discontinuing medication.

6) Give the patient an opportunity to express his or her

understanding of the medication, hearing his or her concerns, and correcting any misconceptions.

7) Explain what to do if problems or questions arise.

Source: Adapted from: American Psychiatric Association. Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder, third edition. Available at: http://www.psych.org/guidelines/mdd2010


to match the needs of each patient. The guideline also discusses approaches to managing treatment-resistant depression. Electroconvulsive therapy has the strongest data to support it as a treatment for patients who do not respond to multiple medication trials. Transcranial magnetic stimulation and vagus nerve stimulation have also been added as potential treatments for these patients. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are another option.

The APA guideline also cites randomized, controlled trials that demonstrate at least a modest improvement in mood symptoms for patients who engage in aerobic exercise or resistance training. “Regular exercise may

reduce the prevalence of depressive symptoms in the general population,” Dr. Gelenberg says. “Specific benefits have been found in older adults and in those with co-occurring medical problems.” In addition, the guideline recommends that maintenance treatment be considered after continuation treatment phases, especially for those with risk factors for MDD recurrence. Maintenance treatment should be provided for patients with three or more prior depressive episodes or chronic or severe illness.

Looking AheadAlthough notable progress has been made in the understanding of MDD and its treatment, there are still many unanswered questions on the optimization and individualization of treatment. “To better personalize care, clinicians need a better understanding of what causes depression,” says Dr. Gelenberg. “Also, while the science of psychotherapy research continues to evolve, researchers are striving to understand how specific types of therapy compare with each other and how to select the most appropriate individualized treatments. Furthermore, it would be helpful to accumulate more comparative data on efficacy, short- and long-term side effect profiles, and specific clinical indications of different antidepressants, augmentation strategies, and combination treatment approaches. In the meantime, clinicians should utilize the updated APA guideline as they use existing and novel treatment strategies for MDD.”

ReferencesAmerican Psychiatric Association. Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder, third edition. Available at: http://www.psych.org/guidelines/mdd2010

Givens JL, Katz IR, Bellamy S, Holmes WC. Stigma and the acceptability of depression treatments among African Americans and whites. J Gen Intern Med. 2007;22:1292-1297.

Kocsis JH, Gelenberg AJ, Rothbaum B, et al. Chronic forms of major depression are still undertreated in the 21st century: systematic assessment of 801 patients presenting for treatment. J Affect Disord. 2008;110:55-61.

Trivedi MH, Rush AJ, Gaynes BN, et al. Maximizing the adequacy of medication treatment in controlled trials and clinical practice: STAR*D measurement-based care. Neuropsychopharmacology.2007;32:2479-2489.

Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB. The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med. 2001;16:606–613.

Dunn AL, Trivedi MH, Kampert JB, Clark CG, Chambliss HO. Exercise treatment for depression: efficacy and dose response. Am J Prev Med. 2005;28:1-8.

Table 2 Items to Monitor Throughout Treatment • Symptomatic status, including functional status and

quality of life.

• Degree of danger to self and others.

• Signs of “switch” to mania.

• Other mental disorders, including alcohol and other substance use disorders.

• General medical conditions.

• Response to treatment.

• Side effects of treatment.

• Adherence to treatment plan.

Source: Adapted from: American Psychiatric Association. Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder, third edition. Available at: http://www.psych.org/guidelines/mdd2010.

Alan J. Gelenberg, MD, has indicated to Physician’s Weekly that he has had consultantships with Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Best Practice, AstraZeneca, Wyeth, GlaxoSmithKline, ZARS Pharma, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Lundbeck, Takeda,

E-Research Technology (ERT), Inc., Dey Pharma, PGx Health, and Myriad Genetics. He has received research/grant funding from Eli Lilly and GlaxoSmithKline, and has reported stock ownership in Healthcare Technology Systems.

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In the February 1, 2011 issue of Stroke, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) released new guidelines for the primary

prevention of stroke. The guideline reviews evidence on established and emerging risk factors for stroke. A significant change in these guidelines, which update a previous statement from 2006, is that clinicians are urged to address primary

prevention of both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke because the risk factors and prevention strategies for these events largely overlap. The critical role of a healthy lifestyle in the prevention of stroke is also emphasized. Areas of particular interest include emergency department (ED) screening, aspirin use among low-risk patients, asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis, and atrial fibrillation (AF), among other updates.

ED screening for stroke risk represents an entirely new recommendation. Due to a lack of resources, there has been a surge in the number of people who receive care through the ED. This setting represents a unique opportunity to capture individuals at high risk of stroke and to offer information on smoking cessation programs, referrals for alcohol/drug abuse programs, screening for hypertension, and identification of AF.

Aspirin UpdateA notable point in the AHA/ASA scientific statement is that aspirin is not recommended for preventing a first stroke in people at low risk or in those with

diabetes or diabetes plus asymptomatic peripheral artery disease. Use of aspirin to prevent

cardiovascular events—including but not limited to stroke—is recommended

for those at sufficiently high risk. However, it’s important to weigh

the risks, primarily bleeding, associated with treatment.

Updated Guidelines: Primary Stroke Prevention

April 12, 2011


Larry B. Goldstein, MDProfessor of Medicine Director

Duke Stroke Center Duke University Medical Center

http://www.physiciansweekly.com/Features/11_14/guidelines_stroke_prevention.html


Managing Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis

Population screening for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis is not recommended. An area that has become more complex is deciding whether to recommend revascularization for patients who have asymptomatic carotid stenosis. The usefulness of carotid artery stenting as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy in asymptomatic patients at high risk is uncertain.

There is also a paucity of data comparing carotid artery surgery versus stenting versus current medical therapy. As such, selection of asymptomatic patients for carotid revascularization should be based upon an assessment of comorbid conditions and life expectancy, as well as other individual factors. It should include a thorough evaluation of the risks and benefits of the procedure with an understanding of patient preferences.

The Changing Paradigm in AFNumerous modifications have been made to the recom mendations on managing AF. Systematic pulse assessment during routine clinic visits is recommended for patients aged 65 and older. Warfarin is recommended for the prevention of stroke among those at high and moderate risk. Antiplatelet therapy (aspirin) is recommended for low-risk and some moderate-risk patients with AF. Dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel) may be reasonable for high-risk patients with AF who are unsuitable for anticoagulation. However, this carries a risk of bleeding similar to warfarin. Aggressive management of blood pressure coupled with antithrombotic prophylaxis in elderly patients with AF can be useful.

ReferencesGoldstein LB, Bushnell CD, Adams RJ, et al; on behalf of the American Heart Association Stroke Council, Council on Cardiovascular Nursing, Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, Council for High Blood Pressure Research, Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease, and Interdisciplinary Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research. Guidelines for the primary prevention of stroke. A guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2010 Dec 6. [Epub ahead of print]. Available at: http://stroke.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/STR.0b013e3181fcb238v1

Goldstein LB, Adams R, Alberts MJ, et al. Primary prevention of ischemic stroke: a guideline from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Council: cosponsored by the Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease Interdisciplinary Working Group; Cardiovascular Nursing Council; Clinical Cardiology Council; Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism Council; and the Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Interdisciplinary Working Group. Stroke. 2006;37:1583-1633.

Adams HP Jr, del Zoppo G, Alberts MJ, et al. Guidelines for the early management of adults with ischemic stroke: a guideline from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Council, Clinical Cardiology Council, Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention Council, and the Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease and Quality of Care Outcomes in Research Interdisciplinary Working Groups. Stroke. 2007;38:1655-1711.

Sturgeon JD, Folsom AR, Longstreth WT Jr, Shahar E, Rosamond WD, Cushman M. Risk factors for intracerebral hemorrhage in a pooled prospective study. Stroke. 2007;38:2718-2725.

Touze E, Rothwell PM. Sex differences in heritability of ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Stroke. 2008;39:16-23.

Larry B. Goldstein, MD, has indicated to Physician’s Weekly that he has received research grants from the NIH and the American Heart Association/Burger Foundation. He has also received speakers’ bureau/

honoraria from Bayer, has served as a consultant or advisory board member for Pfizer and Abbott, and has served as a steering committee member for the SPARCL trial, sponsored by Pfizer.

Clinicians are urged to address primary prevention of both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke because the risk factors and prevention strategies for these events largely overlap.

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The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) released updated guidelines to prevent subsequent stroke in

survivors of ischemic strokes or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). Specifically, the guidelines—which were published in the January 2011 issue of Stroke—include new recommendations for treating metabolic syndrome, stenting of the carotid artery, and atrial fibrillation, among other updates. The update revised previous recommendations from 2006 and reflected new evidence from recent investigations and analyses pertaining to secondary stroke prevention. This guideline is one of five “flagship” evidence based statements from the AHA/ASA, which are revised every 3 years. They are designed to assist clinicians in making important treatment decisions after stroke or TIA.

Metabolic Syndrome & Stenting UpdatesAmong the new recommendations made in the section on metabolic syndrome is that clinicians are

now advised to treat individual components that are also stroke risk factors, particularly dyslipidemia and hypertension, in order to prevent a second stroke or TIA in individuals with metabolic syndrome. All patients with carotid artery stenosis and a TIA or stroke should receive optimal medical therapy, including antiplatelet therapy and statins, as well as risk factor modifications. Another important note is that the utility of screening patients for metabolic syndrome after stroke is unknown, so more research is necessary in this component of stroke management.

The section on carotid artery stenting (CAS) for extracranial symptomatic carotid disease was also updated because of recent large clinical trials. CAS can be used as an alternative to surgery for symptomatic patients at average or low risk for complications when the diameter of the lumen of the internal carotid artery is reduced by greater than 70% based on noninvasive imaging or by more than 50% as seen with catheter angiography. For certain patients with symptomatic high-grade carotid stenosis and factors that make carotid endarterectomy more difficult, CAS is now considered a reasonable alternative. It’s also reasonable to perform CAS when operators have established periprocedural morbidity and mortality rates of 4% to 6%.

The current data are stronger for the use of carotid artery endarterectomy (CAE) when treating carotid artery stenosis. CAE is now recommended for patients

Updated Guidelines for Secondary Stroke Prevention

April 26, 2011


Robert J. Adams, MDProfessor, Department of NeurosciencesDirector, MUSC Stroke Center Medical University of South Carolina

http://www.physiciansweekly.com/Features/11_16/stroke_prevention.html


with symptomatic severe stenosis (more than 70%) and moderate stenosis (50% to 99%) if the perioperative morbidity and mortality risk is estimated at less than 6%. Neither CAE or CAS, however, is recommended when stenosis is less than 50%.

Atrial Fibrillation UpdatesFor stroke survivors who have atrial fibrillation (AF) but are unable to take oral anticoagulants, aspirin monotherapy is recommended. Temporary interruption of oral anticoagulation is problematic for patients with AF at high risk of recurrent stroke. But if necessary, minimizing interruption time and bridging therapy with a low-molecular-weight heparin is recommended. The guidelines also provide other recommendations for patients with intermittent

or permanent AF and special populations. AF is an area of ongoing research and drug development, so it’s likely that this section of the guidelines will be updated in the near future.

A Work in Progress The AHA/ASA guidelines for secondary prevention of stroke and TIA are a work in progress because many drug therapies and other interventions are being investigated. As the data continue to shed light on emerging therapies and technologies, the hope is that we’ll be able to decrease the burden of stroke and TIA more in the future. Until then, clinicians are encouraged to review the guideline update—available for everyone online at http://stroke.ahajournals.org —when managing these patients.

ReferencesFurie KL, Kasner SE, Adams RJ, et al, on behalf of the American Heart Association Stroke Council, Council on Cardiovascular Nursing, Council on Clinical Cardiology, and Interdisciplinary Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research. Guidelines for the prevention of stroke in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack: a guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2011;42:227-276. Available at: http://stroke.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/42/1/227

Easton JD, Saver JL, Albers GW, et al. Definition and evaluation of transient ischemic attack: a scientific statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Council; Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia; Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention; Council on Cardiovascular Nursing; and the Interdisciplinary Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease. Stroke. 2009;40:2276-2293.

Rothwell PM, Warlow CP. Timing of TIAs preceding stroke: time window for prevention is very short. Neurology. 2005;64:817-820.

Goldstein LB, Bushnell CD, Adams RJ, et al. Guidelines for the Primary Prevention of Stroke. A Guideline for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2010 Dec 6. [Epub ahead of print].

Chimowitz MI, Lynn MJ, Howlett-Smith H, et al; for the WASID investigators. Comparison of warfarin and aspirin for symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis. N Engl J Med. 2005;352:1305-1316.

Hobson RW II. Update on the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stent Trial (CREST) protocol. J Am Coll Surg. 2002;194(suppl 1):S9-S14.

Connolly S, Pogue J, Hart R, et al. Clopidogrel plus aspirin versus oral anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation in the Atrial fibrillation Clopidogrel Trial with Irbesartan for prevention of Vascular Events (ACTIVE W): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2006;367:1903-1912.

Robert J. Adams, MD, has indicated to Physician’s Weekly that he has been on the speaker’s bureau or received honoraria from Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, REACH Call, Inc, Novartis, and Penumbra. He has also

ownership in REACH Call, Inc., and has been a consultant for or on the advisory board of Novartis.Dr. Adams also has received research support from the NHLBI.

As the data continue to shed light on emerging therapies and technologies, the hope is that we’ll be able to decrease

the burden of stroke and TIA more in the future.

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When an Achilles tendon ruptures, the forces placed on the tendon exceed its tensile limits. Patients who sustain these injuries often

experience sudden pain in the affected leg, difficulty with weight-bearing, and weakness of the affected ankle. “The Achilles tendon is one of the strongest

tendons in the body, and a rupture can be quite disabling,” explains Christopher P. Chiodo, MD. “The healing period after a rupture requires time away from work and limits athletic activity. Time away from work may have a financial impact on patients, and limiting activity may affect patients’ overall health and well-being.”

Achilles tendon rupture is more common in men who are in their 30s and 40s, but more people are staying active as they age, meaning that these injuries can occur in older age groups. An acute Achilles tendon rupture affects 5.5 to 9.9 of every 100,000 people in North America each year. There are currently no treatment regimens that are universally agreed upon. The aims of treatment include ascertaining a timely

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has released treatment guidelines on acute Achilles tendon rupture, emphasizing early motion and weight-bearing to enhance the return of function.

Guidelines for Managing Achilles Tendon Rupture

April 26, 2011


Christopher P. Chiodo, MD Attending Orthopedic Surgeon Chief, Foot and Ankle Service Brigham and Women’s Hospital Faulkner HospitalClinical Instructor Harvard Medical School President Massachusetts Orthopaedic Association

http://www.physiciansweekly.com/Features/11_16/achilles_tendon_rupture.html


Guidelines for Managing Achilles Tendon Rupture

14

and accurate diagnosis, achieving pain relief, restoring functional status, and returning to pre-rupture activities. “Once a timely and accurate diagnosis is made, clinicians and patients must discuss both conservative strategies (eg, casts or braces) and surgical treatment,” Dr. Chiodo says.

New Evidence-Based GuidelinesThe American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has released an evidence-based clinical practice guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of

acute Achilles tendon rupture. Available on AAOS’s website (www.aaos.org), the goal of the guidelines is to provide assistance to providers who are qualified to treat Achilles tendon ruptures. “These recommendations give guidance on how to select treatment options for these patients in order to optimize outcomes,” says Dr. Chiodo, who chaired the work group that was responsible for the guidelines.

To develop the clinical practice guidelines, the AAOS work group formulated a set of preliminary recommendations that specified what should be done in whom, when, where, and how often or for how long. The group assembled and categorized relevant published articles by level of evidence to develop final recommendations with one of the following grades:

• Strong (good quality evidence).

• Moderate (fair quality evidence).

• Weak (poor quality evidence).

• Inconclusive (insufficient or conflicting evidence).

Inconclusive Recommendations (Insufficient or Conflicting Evidence):

• For patients treated nonoperatively, use of immediate functional bracing for patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture is not recommended for or against.

• Routine use of MRI, ultrasound, and radiographs to confirm the diagnosis of acute Achilles tendon rupture is not recommended for or against.

• For patients who will be treated operatively for an acute Achilles tendon rupture, preoperative immobilization or restricted weight-bearing is not recommended for or against.

• Use of allograft, autograft, xenograft, synthetic tissue, or biologic adjuncts in all acute Achilles tendon ruptures that are treated operatively is not recommended for or against.

• Use of antithrombotic treatment for patients with acute Achilles tendon ruptures is not recommended for or against.

• Postoperative physiotherapy for patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture is not recommended for or against.

• In all patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture, irrespective of treatment type, a specific time at which patients can return to activities of daily living is not recommended for or against.

• In patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture treated nonoperatively, a specific time at which patients can return to athletic activity is not recommended for or against.

Source: Adapted from: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture. Available at: www.aaos.org/Research/guidelines/atrguideline.asp.

Table Summarizing Recommendations

Consensus Recommendations (Good Quality Evidence):

• A detailed history and physical exam should be performed. The physical examination should include two or more of the following tests to establish the diagnosis of acute Achilles tendon rupture:

- Clinical Thompson test (Simmonds squeeze test).

- Decreased ankle plantar flexion strength.

- Presence of a palpable gap (defect, loss of contour).

- Increased passive ankle dorsiflexion with gentle manipulation.

• Although operative treatment is an option, it should be approached more cautiously in patients:

- With diabetes and/or neuropathy.

- In immunocompromised states.

- Aged 65 and older.

- Who use tobacco.

- With sedentary lifestyle.

- Who are obese (BMI >30kg/m2).

- With peripheral vascular disease or local/systemic dermatologic disorders.

Moderate Recommendations (Fair Quality Evidence):

• Early (≤ 2 weeks) postoperative protected weight-bearing for patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture who have been treated operatively is suggested.

• Use of a protective device that allows mobilization by 2-4 weeks postoperatively is suggested.

Weak Recommendations (Poor Quality Evidence):

• Nonoperative treatment is an option for all patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture.

• Operative treatment is an option in patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture.

• Open, limited open, and percutaneous techniques are options for treating patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture.

• In patients who participate in sports, it is an option to return them to sports within 3-6 months after operative treatment for acute Achilles tendon rupture.


In the absence of reliable evidence, the work group made consensus recommendations, which were based on clinical opinion.

Immobilization & Weight- Bearing Are ImportantThe AAOS work group recommended both nonsurgical and surgical treatment as options for all patients with acute Achilles tendon ruptures (Table). “Published data demonstrate that the ankle should be mobilized, and some weight-bearing should be allowed postoperatively in surgically-managed patients,” says Dr. Chiodo. “Controlled early motion and weight-bearing activities appear to be beneficial, especially with regard to return of function. Within the first 2 weeks after surgery, protected weight-bearing should be initiated. Early mobilization by 2 to 4 weeks after surgery may also enhance recovery.”

A consensus recommendation was made by the AAOS work group on the need for a detailed history and physical examination to establish the diagnosis of an acute Achilles tendon rupture. The work group also recommended that surgical treatment be approached more cautiously in patients who are elderly, have sedentary lifestyles or are obese, are immunocompromised, use tobacco, and those with diabetes, neuropathy, and vascular disorders. No evidence supported the use of biological agents, autograft, or synthetic tissue when surgically repairing Achilles tendon ruptures, but more research is necessary.

Looking ForwardThere are few high-quality studies that provide strong evidence for various aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of Achilles tendon rupture. The AAOS work group identified the following areas as focal points for future trials:

• Routine use of MRI, ultrasonography, and/or radiography to confirm a diagnosis.

• Preoperative immobilization or restricted weight bearing.

• Allograft, autograft, xenograft, synthetic tissue, or biologic adjuncts.

• Antithrombotic treatment.

• Physiotherapy.

“There’s a need for larger studies which utilize multi-center protocols and databases,” adds Dr. Chiodo. “For example, some studies have shown possible advantages to minimally invasive repair, specifically with regard to wound healing, but this needs to be validated with more research. More data are also needed on functional outcomes with non-operative management, such as braces or casts. We also need to establish patient registries that include large case volumes so that these patients can be followed and sufficiently evaluated for long-term outcomes. Decision-making doesn’t end at the time of surgery, and establishing appropriate postoperative protocols is important.”

Christopher P. Chiodo, MD, has indicated to Physician’s Weekly that he has or has had no financial interests to report.

ReferencesAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture. Available at: http://www.aaos.org/Research/guidelines/atrguideline.asp

Costa ML, MacMillan K, Halliday D et al. Randomised controlled trials of immediate weight bearing mobilisation for rupture of the tendo Achillis. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2006;88:69-77.

Margetic P, Miklic D, Rakic-Ersek V, Doko Z, Lubina ZI, Brkljacic B. Comparison of ultrasonographic and intraoperative findings in Achilles tendon rupture. Coll Antropol. 2007;31:279-284.

Twaddle BC, Poon P. Early motion for Achilles tendon ruptures: is surgery important? A randomized, prospective study. Am J Sports Med. 2007;35:2033-2038.

Ingvar J, Tagil M, Eneroth M. Nonoperative treatment of Achilles tendon rupture: 196 consecutive patients with a 7% re-rupture rate. Acta Orthop. 2005;76:597-601.

Suchak AA, Bostick GP, Beaupre LA, Durand DC, Jomha NM. The influence of early weight bearing compared with non-weight bearing after surgical repair of the Achilles tendon. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008;90:1876-1883.

16

According to data from the CDC, more than 51 million Americans have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis, and the estimated annual

cost for medical care of arthritis and joint pain was $281.5 billion in 2004. Arthritis of the glenohumeral joint can be the result of primary osteoarthritis,

posttraumatic deformity, inflammatory arthritis, sepsis, or avascular necrosis. Epidemiological data suggest that the incidence of glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis is more common in women and appears to increase with age. The risk of shoulder arthritis is increased by a history of injury or surgery to the shoulder.

“Patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the shoulder experience pain, progressive loss of function, and diminished quality of life,” says Rolando Izquierdo, MD. “Shoulder replacement surgery has become the third most common joint surgery, following hip and knee replacements, due to the increasing burden of glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis. Most treatments for glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis are associated with some known risks, especially invasive and

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has released treatment guidelines for glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, which contain 16 recommendations—including operative and non-operative treatment options—to assist clinicians in the management of these patients.

Guidelines for Managing Patients With Shoulder Arthritis

April 26, 2011


Rolando Izquierdo, MDOrthopaedic Surgeon Crystal Lake Orthopaedic Surgery

and Sports Medicine

http://www.physiciansweekly.com/Features/11_20/shoulder_arthritis_management.html


Guidelines for Managing Patients With Shoulder Arthritis

18

operative treatments. Contraindications can also vary widely based on the treatment administered. As such, discussion of available treatments and procedures that may be applicable to patients should rely on mutual communication with physicians. This dialogue should weigh the potential risks and benefits for each patient, based on their individual medical characteristics.”

Evidence-Based GuidelinesThe American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recently released an evidence-based clinical practice guideline on the treatment of glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis in adults aged 19 and older. The guideline provides information on patient management after the diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint. The final treatment guidelines contain 16 recommendations and include both operative and non-operative treatment options (Table). “The purpose of this clinical practice guideline is to help improve treatments based on the current best evidence,” explains Dr. Izquierdo, who chaired the work group that developed the guidelines. “We conducted a systematic review of the available literature to establish recommendations based on good, sound evidence.”

Key RecommendationsFew high-quality prospective studies for treating shoulder osteoarthritis are currently available, so surgeons have few measures to support non-operative therapies. Shoulder replacement surgery has been routinely performed since the 1970s for patients with advanced glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis. According to the AAOS work group’s review of the literature, use of both total and partial shoulder replacement for this population is supported. “However, research shows that pain relief and motion improve with total joint replacement more than with partial replacement surgery,” says Dr. Izquierdo. “Studies indicate that the failure rate for partial replacements is about 14%. In these cases, revision surgery with total replacement is required later due to progressive arthritis and pain.”

Another key recommendation, Dr. Izquierdo says, is that surgeons should routinely take preventive

Table Consensus, Moderate, & Weak Recommendations

Consensus Recommendations: (There is no supporting evidence. In the absence of reliable evidence, the work group has made a recommendation on their clinical opinion considering the known harms and benefits associated with the treatment.)

1. The use of either keeled or pegged all polyethylene cemented glenoid components when performing total shoulder arthroplasty.

2. In the absence of reliable evidence, total shoulder arthroplasty should not be performed in patients with an irreparable rotator cuff tear.

Moderate Recommendations: (Level II or III evidence from more than one study with consistent findings, or Level I evidence from a single study for recommending for or against the intervention or diagnostic.)

3. The use of total shoulder arthroplasty is recommended over hemiarthroplasty.

Weak Recommendations: (Level IV or V evidence from more than one study with consistent findings, or Level II or III evidence from a single study for recommending for against the intervention or diagnostic.)

4. The use of injectable viscosupplementation.

5. The use of total shoulder arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty.

6. To reduce immediate postoperative complication rates, patients should avoid shoulder arthroplasty by surgeons who perform less than two shoulder arthroplasties per year.

7. Physicians should use perioperative mechanical and/or chemical venous thromboembolism prophylaxis for shoulder arthroplasty patients.

Inconclusive Recommendations (Evidence is insufficient or conflicting and does not allow a recommendation for or against the intervention or diagnostic.)

8. The use of physical therapy for initial treatment.

9. The use of pharmacotherapy for initial treatment.

10. The use of injectable corticosteroids.

11. The use of arthroscopic treatments (eg, debridement, capsular release, chondroplasty, microfracture, removal of loose bodies, and biologic and interpositional grafts, subacromial decompression, distal clavicle resection, acromioclavicular joint resection, biceps tenotomy or tenodesis, and labral repair or advancement).

12. The use of open debridement and/or non-prosthetic or biologic interposition arthroplasty (including allografts, biologic and interpositional grafts, and autografts).

13. The use biceps tenotomy or tenodesis when performing shoulder arthroplasty.

14. The use of a subscapularis trans tendonous approach or a lesser tuberosity osteotomy when performing shoulder arthroplasty.

15. The use of a specific type of humeral prosthetic design or method of fixation when performing shoulder arthroplasty.

16. The use of physical therapy following shoulder arthroplasty.

Source: Adapted from: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The Treatment of Glenohumeral Joint Osteoarthritis: Guideline and Evidence Report. December 4, 2009.

Available at: http://www.aaos.org/Research/guidelines/gloguideline.asp.


steps to reduce the risk of potentially catastrophic complications caused by blood clots during and immediately following surgery. “Administration of preoperative prophylactic agents for venous thromboembolism and having patients perform exercises to increase blood flow may help patients avoid blood clots,” he says. “The AAOS work group reached consensus with this recommendation, believing that the risk of not taking these actions outweighs the risk of taking them.” The AAOS work group also reported that the quality of literature on drug therapy, injectable steroids, or arthroscopy after treatment for glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis are lacking, leading to no recommendations for or against the use of these options. In addition, no current studies support the use of physical therapy for treating shoulder osteoarthritis preoperatively or postoperatively.

Dr. Izquierdo noted that viscosupplementation— a synthetic lubricant for joints—was shown to have a statistically significant benefit in pain relief, range of motion, and quality of life in patients with shoulder osteoarthritis. “These findings, while encouraging, were based on one industry-supported study,” he says. “The FDA has only approved use of viscosupplementation for treating knees. The hope is that more data will emerge

in the near future to encourage the FDA to approve an indication for viscosupplementation in patients specifically with glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis.”

Experience MattersAccording to the literature, most surgeons replace far fewer shoulders than hips or knees. It is estimated that 75% of all shoulder replacements are performed by nonspecialists who may do two or fewer shoulder replacements each year, and complications occur more frequently among nonspecialist surgeons. “To improve immediate postoperative complication rates, the AAOS recommends that shoulder replacement be performed only by experienced surgeons who perform more than two shoulder replacements each year,” says Dr. Izquierdo. “Another important point to consider is that physicians who are only comfortable performing partial replacement surgery—instead of total replacement—should consider referring patients to a specialist who treats glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis and is trained and comfortable with total replacement procedures. The hope is that future research will help us establish more definitively on the appropriate surgical volume of partial and total replacements to enhance outcomes.”

Pain relief and motion improve with total joint replacement more than with partial replacement surgery.

— Rolando Izquierdo, MD

Rolando Izquierdo, MD, has indicated to Physician’s Weekly that he has worked as a consultant for Zimmer and has been a paid speaker for Smith & Nephew.

ReferencesAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The Treatment of Glenohumeral Joint Osteoarthritis: Guideline and Evidence Report. December 4, 2009. Available at: http://www.aaos.org/Research/guidelines/gloguideline.asp

Raiss P, Aldinger PR, Kasten P, Rickert M, Loew M. Total shoulder replacement in young and middle-aged patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2008;90:764-769.

Iannotti JP, Norris TR. Influence of preoperative factors on outcome of shoulder arthroplasty for glenohumeral osteoarthritis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003;85-A:251-258.

Wirth MA, Tapscott RS, Southworth C, Rockwood CA, Jr. Treatment of glenohumeral arthritis with a hemiarthroplasty: a minimum five-year follow-up outcome study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2006;88:964-973.

Norris TR, Iannotti JP. Functional outcome after shoulder arthroplasty for primary osteoarthritis: a multicenter study. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2002;11:130-135.

20

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has long been recognized as one of the most severe forms of stroke. According to the American Heart Association

(AHA), ICH accounts for less than 10% of first-ever strokes, but is more likely to result in death or major disability. Studies have estimated that 35% to 52% of patients with ICH die within a month. More than 60,000 patients in the United States have an ICH in a year, but only about 20% of these individuals are expected to be functionally independent 6 months after their event.

The AHA and American Stroke Association (ASA) published an updated evidenced-based guideline

in the September 2010 issue of Stroke to inform physicians on the most current and comprehensive recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of acute spontaneous ICH. The guideline covers diagnosis, hemostasis, blood pressure management, inpatient and nursing management, prevention of medical comorbidities, surgical treatment, prognosis, rehabilitation, prevention of recurrence, and other considerations. The authors incorporated new clinical trial results and multiple updates since the last guidelines were published in 2007 (Table).

“The underlying message of the AHA/ASA guideline update is that ICH is a very treatable disorder, and the overall aggressiveness of ICH care is directly related to mortality from this disease,” says Lewis B. Morgenstern, MD, FAHA, FAAN, who chaired the committee that created the guideline update. “As a medical community, we tend to be too nihilistic in our treatment of ICH. Even though there is currently no ‘magic bullet’ to treat the disease, the nihilism has led to poor outcomes. Aggressive, critical care by physicians to treat patients presenting with ICH is likely to improve outcomes.”

The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association have updated guidelines for the treatment of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in adults. They stress the need for early identification and aggressive treatment.

Guidelines Update: Managing Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

March 15, 2011


Lewis B. Morgenstern, MD, FAHA, FAANProfessor, Neurology Emergency Medi-

cine, Neurosurgery, & EpidemiologyDirector, Stroke Program University of Michigan Medical School

& School of Public Health

http://www.physiciansweekly.com/Features/11_11/spontaneous_intracerebral_hemorrhage.html


Guidelines Update: Managing Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

22

Reviewing the Recommendations The AHA/ASA guideline committee established both new and revised recommendations for ICH. The committee recommended that initial assessment of ICH include prompt neuroimaging with CT or MRI. CT angiography and contrast-enhanced CT may help identify patients at particularly high risk of hematoma expansion. “Advanced imaging may also help detect underlying causes of ICH, such as vascular malformations,” adds Dr. Morgenstern.

Within the first few days after ICH onset, patients are typically medically and neurologically unstable. The AHA/ASA writing committee recommends frequent vital sign checks, neurological assessments, and continuous cardiopulmonary monitoring for the inpatient management and prevention of secondary

brain injury. Additionally, patients receiving IV vasoactive medications should receive continuous intra-arterial blood pressure monitoring. New and revised recommendations also state that glucose be monitored and normoglycemia maintained. Clinical seizures and patients with depressed mental status who are also found to have seizures on electroencephalograms should be treated with antiepileptic drugs. Prophylactic anticonvulsants are not recommended.

For most patients with ICH, the usefulness of surgery is uncertain, and further research is required. However, there is a new statement in the guideline addressing patients with cerebellar hemorrhage who are deteriorating neurologically or who have brainstem compression and/or hydrocephalus from ventricular obstruction. “Previously, some believed such patients

Abbreviations: INR, international normalized ratio; OAC, oral anticoagulants; and EEG, electroencephalogram. Source: Adapted from: Morgenstern, et al. Stroke. 2010;41:2108-2129.

Table Class I Recommendations for ICH Management

Emergency diagnosis and assessment of ICH and its causes

Medical treatment for ICH

Hemostasis/antiplatelets/DVT prophylaxis

General monitoring

Management of glucose

Seizures and antiepileptic drugs

Procedures/surgery—clot removal

Prevention of recurrent ICH

Rapid neuroimaging with CT or MRI is recommended to distinguish ischemic stroke from ICH. (Unchanged from the previous guideline)

Patients with a severe coagulation factor deficiency or severe thrombo cytopenia should receive appropriate factor replacement therapy or platelets, respectively. (New recommendation)

Patients with ICH whose INR is elevated due to OAC should have their warfarin withheld, receive therapy to replace vitamin K–dependent factors and correct the INR, and receive intravenous vitamin K. (Revised from the previous guideline)

Patients with ICH should have intermittent pneumatic compression for prevention of venous thromboembolism in addition to elastic stockings. (Unchanged from the previous guideline)

Initial monitoring and management of ICH patients should take place in an intensive care unit, preferably one with physician and nursing neuro science intensive care expertise. (Unchanged from the previous guideline)

Glucose should be monitored and normoglycemia is recommended

Patients with clinical seizures should be treated with antiepileptic drugs. (Revised from previous guideline)

Patients with a change in mental status who are found to have electrographic seizures on EEG should be treated with antiepileptic drugs

Patients with cerebellar hemorrhage who are deteriorating neurologically or who have brainstem compression and/or hydrocephalus from ventric ular obstruction should undergo surgical removal of the hemorrhage as soon as possible. (Revised from the previous guideline)

After the acute ICH, absent medical contraindications, blood pressure should be well controlled, particularly for patients with ICH location typical of hypertensive vasculopathy. (New recommendation)

Recommendations Class/Level of Evidence

Inpatient management and prevention of secondary brain injury

Class I, Level A

Class I, Level C

Class I, Level C

Class I, Level B

Class I, Level B

Class I, Level C

Class I, Level A

Class I, Level C

Class I, Level B

Class I, Level A


were best treated with intraventricular drainage rather than surgery,” says Dr. Morgenstern. “However, a higher level recommendation now proposes that those patients be treated with surgery as soon as possible. Initial treatment of these patients with ventricular drainage alone rather than surgical evacuation is not recommended.”

When Not to Make DNR Orders Another important modification has been the upgrading of a recommendation on withdrawal of care. According to the guideline, most patients that die from ICH do so during the initial acute hospitalization—usually in the setting of withdrawal of support due to a presumed poor prognosis. Several studies have identified withdrawal of medical support and other early care limitations, such as do not resuscitate (DNR) xorders within the first day of hospitalization, as independent outcome predictors.

The guideline now conclusively states that a trial of aggressive therapy should be considered before a DNR

decision is made. “There is concern that decisions by physicians to limit care early after ICH and give a DNR order are resulting in self-fulfilling prophecies of poor outcomes because they are inaccurately presuming poor results,” Dr. Morgenstern says. “These decisions often lead to clinicians failing to provide initial aggressive therapy in patients with ICH who still may have favorable outcomes.”

Dr. Morgenstern notes that physicians should be cautious when trying to establish a prognosis early after ICH, especially when withdrawal of support and DNR orders are under consideration. Aggressive guideline-concordant therapy is recommended for all ICH patients who do not have pre-existing DNR orders. Additionally, care limitations should not be recommended by physicians during the first few days after ICH. “Our ability to prognosticate about ICH is very limited,” says Dr. Morgenstern. “Physicians need to take the lead and use evidence-based strategies to improve outcomes with aggressive care in patients with ICH. That’s the key to improving outcomes in this potentially deadly disease.”

Aggressive, critical care by physicians to treat patients presenting with ICH is likely to improve outcomes.

Lewis B. Morgenstern, MD, FAHA, FAAN, has indicated to Physician’s Weekly that he has the following financial disclosures: National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consultant—Safety and Tolerability of Deferoxamine in Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage (generic study drug);

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Co-I (Deferoxamine therapy for intracerebral hemorrhage—animal translational grant examining generic deferoxamine in ICH); and NIH PI—Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi (observational study of

stroke in a biethnic community). He is also a medical adjudication board member for Wyeth.

ReferencesMorgenstern LB, Hemphill JC 3rd, Anderson C, et al. Guidelines for the management of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: a guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2010;41:2108-2129.

Zahuranec DB, Morgenstern LB, Sánchez BN, et al. Do-not-resuscitate orders and predictive models after intracerebral hemorrhage. Neurology. 2010;75:626-633.

Moon JS, Janjua N, Ahmed S, et al. Prehospital neurologic deterioration in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. Crit Care Med. 2008;36:172-175.

Cooper D, Jauch E, Flaherty ML. Critical pathways for the management of stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage: a survey of US hospitals. Crit Pathw Cardiol. 2007;6:18-23.

Chalela JA, Kidwell CS, Nentwich LM, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography in emergency assessment of patients with suspected acute stroke: a prospective comparison. Lancet. 2007;369:293-298.

Documents

Guidelines Update eBook-2011