Medical history profile: orthopaedic physical therapy outpatients

Clinical characteristics of patients with cancer referred for outpatient physical therapy

BACKGROUND

Cancer rehabilitation is a developing area, with an increasing number of survivors of cancer in the United States. The increase in survivorship occurs alongside impairments arising directly from cancer or from treatment-related side effects.

OBJECTIVE

This study described clinical characteristics of patients with cancer referred for outpatient physical therapy and explored patterns in frequency of impairments between type of cancer and mode of cancer treatment.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective chart review of patients with cancer referred to a tertiary care physical therapy clinic over a 2-year period.

METHODS

Characteristics such as age, sex, cancer type, mode of treatment, and neuromusculoskeletal impairments were identified. Impairment frequencies were computed based on cancer type and mode of treatment.

RESULTS

Data from 418 patients (mean age=57.9 years, SD=14.3; 41.1% female) were examined. Genitourinary cancer (n=169) and breast cancer (n=90) were the most prevalent types of cancer reported in this sample. Impairments in strength (83.6%) and soft tissue (71.3%) were the most common examination findings. Lymphedema was most common in patients with breast cancer, and incontinence was most common in patients with genitourinary cancer.

LIMITATIONS

The types of cancer identified in this study may be reflective of this tertiary center and may not generalize to other facilities. Impairment identification during the initial physical therapist evaluation was not performed systematically.

CONCLUSION

These data reinforce that physical therapists should screen for lymphedema in patients with breast cancer and incontinence in urogenital cancers. Strength and soft tissue integrity should be evaluated in most patients with cancer. Assessing pain and fatigue levels is recommended for patients who have had radiation therapy.

Documentation of red flags by physical therapists for patients with low back pain

The comprehensiveness of physical therapists' adherence to the guidelines for red flag documentation for patients with low back pain has not previously been described. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe that comprehensiveness. Red flags are warning signs that suggest that physician referral may be warranted. Clinic charts for 160 patients with low back pain seen at 6 outpatient physical therapy clinics were retrospectively reviewed, noting the presence or absence of 11 red flag items. Seven of the 11 red flag items were documented over 98% of the time. Most charts (96.3%) had at least 64% of the red flag items documented. Documentation of red flags was comprehensive in some areas but lacking in others. Red flags that were regularly documented included age over 50, bladder dysfunction, history of cancer, immune suppression, night pain, history of trauma, saddle anesthesia, and lower extremity neurological deficit. The red flags not regularly documented included weight loss, recent infection, and fever/chills. Factors influencing item documentation comprehensiveness are discussed, and suggestions are provided to enhance the completeness of recording patient examination data. The study results provide a red flag documentation benchmark for clinicians working with patients with low back pain and they lay the groundwork for future research.

Total number and severity of comorbidities do not differ based on anatomical region of musculoskeletal pain

STUDY DESIGN

Secondary analysis, cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

To (1) compare differences in individual comorbidity rates among patients with cervical, lumbar, and extremity pain complaints and (2) compare rates based on total number and severity in these same patient groups.

BACKGROUND

Comorbidities can impact recovery, prognosis, and potentially hinder participation in rehabilitation. Few studies have compared comorbidity rates among patients with different anatomical region of pain, to determine whether specific screening is warranted in physical therapy settings.

METHODS

Included in the analyses were 2375 patients who reported complete demographic, clinical, and comorbidity information using Patient Inquiry software. Comorbidity data were collected from the Functional Comorbidity Index (18 items) and 6 additional comorbidities, to assess the presence of medical disease across multiple body systems. Comorbidities were further classified as "nonsevere" or "severe," based on inclusion in the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Chi-square analyses investigated differences in the rates of total number and severe comorbidities. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated on rates with statistically significant differences (P<.001), using the lumbar spine as the reference group.

RESULTS

Of the 24 comorbid conditions included in this analysis, 3 nonsevere medical conditions (degenerative disc disease, obesity, and headache) had different rates among anatomical region. A lower rate for degenerative disc disease was associated with the extremity conditions (χ2 = 66.3; OR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.50). Higher rate of headache (χ2 = 115.3; OR = 3.01; 95% CI: 2.45, 3.70) and lower rate of obesity (χ2 = 16.2; OR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.51, 0.80) were associated with cervical conditions. There were no differences among the 3 anatomical regions for total number or severe comorbidities.

CONCLUSION

Focused screening for degenerative disc disease, obesity, and headache may be warranted. However, the same strategy was not supported for total number or severe comorbidities, at least when considering comparative rates from this cohort. Physical therapists should consider the potential influence of total number and severe comorbidities equally for all anatomical regions of musculoskeletal pain.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Differential diagnosis/symptom prevalence, level 3b.

Thoraco lumbar junction syndrome: A case report

This case report describes a 46-year-old female who experienced symptoms of low back pain with pain radiating into the right gluteal area. Initial intervention addressed mechanical dysfunction at the lumbosacral junction. Reduction in symptoms was observed following manual therapy procedures that addressed the lumbosacral junction; however, the right gluteal pain persisted with recurrence of back pain. Subsequent examination revealed non-neutral dysfunction at the thoracolumbar junction. Treatment was continued with manual therapy procedures that addressed facet restriction and soft tissue dysfunction in the thoracolumbar junction. A marked relief in symptoms was reported thereafter, with a decrease in right gluteal pain and improved functional ability. The anatomical and clinical relevance to this scenario is described. The thoracolumbar junction is described as a predominant contributor to the symptomatology. Its complementary role to the lumbosacral junction is enumerated.

Current status and correlates of physicians' referral diagnoses for physical therapy

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized multicenter retrospective chart review of medical referral diagnoses and corresponding referral, patient, and physician demographic data.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the information content of medical referral diagnoses provided to outpatient physical therapists with respect to physician and patient characteristics.

BACKGROUND

Previous studies indicate that physicians commonly provide nonspecific referral diagnoses to physical therapists. The effects of patient and physician characteristics on information contained in referral diagnoses are not well elucidated.

METHODS AND MEASURES

A team of blinded raters categorized the information content of referral diagnoses (n = 2183) using a classification system adapted from a previous study.

RESULTS

One third (32%) of analyzed diagnoses were anatomically oriented and reported specific pathology. These specific diagnoses were provided significantly more commonly by specialist physicians (odds ratio [OR], 3.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7-4.2; P < .001), male physicians (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.6-3.1; P < .001), both early- and late-career physicians (P < .001), and for male patients (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.6; P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Nonspecific referral diagnoses are frequently provided to physical therapists by physicians. The practice of evidence-based physical therapy seems challenged by the high rate of nonspecific referral diagnoses. Physical therapists may also have the responsibility to conduct differential diagnosis of pathology more commonly than formally recognized by many state practice acts and third-party payers.

Pharmacology in rehabilitation: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) are the most commonly encountered over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications in physical therapy practice. Worldwide, over 73000000 prescriptions for nonsteroidal agents are written yearly. NSAIDs produce a wide range of beneficial effects to the physical therapy patient, enhancing the outcome of treatment. Helpful effects of NSAIDs include analgesia, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic properties. However, NSAIDs are also associated with frequent and significant side effects that are deleterious to treatment outcome, including delay in soft tissue and bone healing, renal and liver toxicity, hemorrhagic events, gastric irritation and ulceration, and central nervous system effects. Understanding of the pharmacological properties of these drugs, exemplified by aspirin, and the individual pharmacokinetics of specific preparations will help the therapist to screen patients for potential side effects, develop more effective plans of care, and, where allowed, effectively and safely prescribe NSAIDs.

Risk factors for anti-inflammatory-drug- or aspirin-induced gastrointestinal complications in individuals receiving outpatient physical therapy services

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective, multicenter, observational research study.

BACKGROUND

Minimal research exists that describes the potential for serious gastrointestinal complications in individuals receiving outpatient physical therapy care.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the prevalence of risk factors for gastrointestinal complications induced by anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin in individuals receiving outpatient physical therapy services.

METHODS AND MEASURES

A self-administered questionnaire was used at 65 ambulatory physical therapy clinics to document past medical history, history of present illness, and medication use. Risk factors for anti-inflammatory-drug- or aspirin-induced gastrointestinal complications were identified and the proportion of patients reporting each factor was determined.

RESULTS

A total of 2433 patients completed the survey. Of the 2311 evaluable patients included in the study, 78.6% reported over-the-counter or prescribed use of an anti-inflammatory drug or aspirin during the week prior to the survey. Forty-nine percent of the patients reported at least 1 risk factor for drug-induced gastrointestinal complications, while 12.9% reported 2 or more risk factors. The most frequently reported established risk factors among anti-inflammatory drug or aspirin users were (1) combination (dual) therapy (22.3% reported concomitant use of anti-inflammatory and aspirin therapy), (2) advanced age (15.7% were over the age of 61 years), (3) history of peptic ulcer disease (7.8% had a history of peptic ulcer disease), and (4) significant systemic illness (6.8% reported having rheumatoid arthritis or heart disease). A frequently encountered risk factor combination was advanced age with a history of peptic ulcer disease (12.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients seen at physical therapy ambulatory clinics present with multiple risk factors for anti-inflammatory-drug- or aspirin-induced gastrointestinal complications and provide a potential opportunity for risk reduction by clinicians working in this environment.

Prevalence of comorbid conditions, surgeries, and medication use in a physical therapy outpatient population: a multicentered study

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective, multicenter, observational research study.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence of comorbidities and medical interventions in physical therapy outpatients and to establish a medical history profile of this population.

BACKGROUND

Little research exists that describes the medical history of individuals seeking physical therapy services. The presence of certain comorbid conditions could influence the therapist's examination, evaluation, choice of interventions, treatment outcomes, and choice of outcome measures.

METHODS AND MEASURES

Data were obtained from 2433 adults seeking care in 65 rehabilitation clinics located in 20 states. The clinics were located in major US geographic regions, and data were collected during each of the 4 seasons. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The chi 2 test of independence was used for analysis of the association between the presence of disease and sex and geographic region.

RESULTS

Forty-two percent of the potential subjects (N = 2433) completed the questionnaire. Skin cancer was reported in 4.5% (N = 110) of the sample. Hypertension (21%, N = 506), depression (15%, N = 354), chronic sinus infection (15%, N = 372), and pneumonia (11%, N = 276) were among the most frequently cited illnesses. The most frequently noted surgeries were orthopaedic procedures (27%, N = 653) and hysterectomy (15%, N = 369), and anti-inflammatories (40%, N = 984) and narcotics (28%, N = 671) were the most commonly prescribed medications.

CONCLUSIONS

Many individuals seeking outpatient physical therapy services have extensive medical histories. Understanding the diseases, surgeries, and medications frequently encountered in practice is necessary for developing safe and appropriate interventions and establishing a reasonable prognosis.