Deprecated: Return type of DrupalCacheArray::offsetExists($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetExists(mixed $offset): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc on line 362
Deprecated: Return type of DrupalCacheArray::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc on line 369
Deprecated: Return type of DrupalCacheArray::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc on line 381
Deprecated: Return type of DrupalCacheArray::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc on line 388 University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in drupal_environment_initialize() (line 695 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc).
Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in drupal_environment_initialize() (line 696 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc).
Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in drupal_environment_initialize() (line 697 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc).
Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in drupal_environment_initialize() (line 700 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc).
Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in drupal_environment_initialize() (line 702 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc).
Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in include_once() (line 328 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/sites/default/settings.php).
Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in include_once() (line 329 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/sites/default/settings.php).
Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in include_once() (line 337 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/sites/default/settings.php).
Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in include_once() (line 344 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/sites/default/settings.php).
Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in drupal_settings_initialize() (line 819 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc).
Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in drupal_settings_initialize() (line 828 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc).
Warning: session_name(): Session name cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in drupal_settings_initialize() (line 831 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc).
Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementBase::execute($args = [], $options = []) should either be compatible with PDOStatement::execute(?array $params = null): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2244 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/database/database.inc).
Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/database/database.inc).
Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/database/database.inc).
Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::key() should either be compatible with Iterator::key(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/database/database.inc).
Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::valid() should either be compatible with Iterator::valid(): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/database/database.inc).
Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/database/database.inc).
Purpose: To test the efficacy of intra-articular hypertonic dextrose prolotherapy (DPT) vs normal saline (NS) injection for knee osteoarthritis (KOA).
Methods: A single-center, parallel-group, blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted at a university primary care clinic in Hong Kong. Patients with KOA (n = 76) were randomly allocated (1:1) to DPT or NS groups for injections at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 16. The primary outcome was the Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC; 0-100 points) pain score. The secondary outcomes were the WOMAC composite, function and stiffness scores; objectively assessed physical function test results; visual analogue scale (VAS) for knee pain; and EuroQol-5D score. All outcomes were evaluated at baseline and at 16, 26, and 52 weeks using linear mixed model.
Results: Randomization produced similar groups. The WOMAC pain score at 52 weeks showed a difference-in-difference estimate of -10.34 (95% CI, -19.20 to -1.49, P = 0.022) points. A similar favorable effect was shown on the difference-in-difference estimate on WOMAC function score of -9.55 (95% CI, -17.72 to -1.39, P = 0.022), WOMAC composite score of -9.65 (95% CI, -17.77 to -1.53, P = 0.020), VAS pain intensity score of -10.98 (95% CI, -21.36 to -0.61, P = 0.038), and EuroQol-5D VAS score of 8.64 (95% CI, 1.36 to 5.92, P = 0.020). No adverse events were reported.
Conclusion: Intra-articular dextrose prolotherapy injections reduced pain, improved function and quality of life in patients with KOA compared with blinded saline injections. The procedure is straightforward and safe; the adherence and satisfaction were high.
In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, 107 countries had implemented national school closures by March 18, 2020. It is unknown whether school measures are effective in coronavirus outbreaks (eg, due to severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS], Middle East respiratory syndrome, or COVID-19). We undertook a systematic review by searching three electronic databases to identify what is known about the effectiveness of school closures and other school social distancing practices during coronavirus outbreaks. We included 16 of 616 identified articles. School closures were deployed rapidly across mainland China and Hong Kong for COVID-19. However, there are no data on the relative contribution of school closures to transmission control. Data from the SARS outbreak in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Singapore suggest that school closures did not contribute to the control of the epidemic. Modelling studies of SARS produced conflicting results. Recent modelling studies of COVID-19 predict that school closures alone would prevent only 2-4% of deaths, much less than other social distancing interventions. Policy makers need to be aware of the equivocal evidence when considering school closures for COVID-19, and that combinations of social distancing measures should be considered. Other less disruptive social distancing interventions in schools require further consideration if restrictive social distancing policies are implemented for long periods.
