Israel Medical Association Journal

Background: The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) recommends a ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) of less than 70% (FEV1/FVC < 0.7) after bronchodilators as the criteria for obstruction. However, because the FEV1/FVC ratio decreases with age, using a fixed ratio may lead to overdiagnosis of obstruction in the geriatric population. Using the lower limit of normal (LLN) as threshold for obstruction has been suggested.

Objectives: To determine the rate of overdiagnosis using the GOLD criteria compared to LLN in patients aged 60 and older. To find a better threshold with a minimal rate of over- and underdiagnosis.

Methods: The study population included adults aged 60 years and older who performed pulmonary function test (PFT) at Shaare Zedek Medical Center between 2014 and 2019 with results of FEV1/FVC < 0.7.

Results: We included 430 patients aged 60 years and older, 273 males (63.5%) and 157 females (36.5%). Mean age was 72 ± 8 years. Overdiagnosis was found in 35.6% of patients (95% confidence interval 31.1–40.3%) by using the GOLD criteria compared to the LLN. Overdiagnosis was reduced to 6.4% with the 0.65 threshold. The ideal point of the FEV1/FVC ratio where overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis were at their lowest rates was 0.638.

Conclusions: Use of the GOLD criteria for airflow obstruction may be associated with an overdiagnosis of more than 35% in patients older than 60 years. Lowering the FEV1/FVC ratio to < 0.65 might be more accurate in this population.

Background: Over the past several years there has been a marked increase in the number of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers having hip arthroscopy based on magnetic resonance arthrography diagnosis of hip labral tears and/or impingement.

Objectives: To detail characteristics of soldiers who underwent hip arthroscopy and assess outcomes and rate of return to duty.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of all soldiers who underwent hip arthroscopy 2018 to 2020, and soldiers referred for hip arthroscopy during 2021. Demographic, medical, and military service data were collected from the computerized patient record.

Results: Our study comprised 117 soldiers (29% combatants, 24% females) who underwent hip arthroscopy, mean age 22 ± 3 years, range 18–42; 45% had physiotherapy before surgery; 31% were diagnosed during or within 3 months of having back pain and 20% had been referred for psychological assistance (not related to the hip pain); 15.4% had serious adverse events. The mean time to return to any duty (including clerical work) was 8.0 ± 0.6 months; 56% of the soldiers never returned to service and were discharged from the military. During the one-year follow-up, only 6% returned to their full pre-symptom activity.

Conclusions: The short-term results of IDF soldiers who underwent hip arthroscopy during the study period were much inferior to those reported among athletes. The lack of specificity of the diagnostic tools (history, examination, and imaging) used to determine whether surgery for hip pain is likely to be beneficial in this population may be contributing to over-diagnosis and over-treatment.

Background: Traditionally, the task of health promotion and early detection screening has been the purview of health maintenance organizations through the family physician. For some years, it has become popular for private health organizations to offer a concentrated day of comprehensive medical testing, which is promoted as a perk by many organizations to their employees. What do these programs offer? Are the tests that are offered evidence based?

Objectives: To describe a concentrated day of comprehensive medical testing program in view of current evidence base medicine (EBM) recommendations.

Methods: We reviewed official internet sites of the most popular concentrated days of comprehensive medical testing and compared the tests offered to the recommendation of several Israeli and international guidelines.

Results: Many tests performed at director screening days do not follow EBM recommendations. Tests like mammography, colonoscopy, bone density, and prostate-specific antigen tests are often offered outside of the recommended age and risk groups and without pretest consultation.

Conclusions: We recommend against routine general health examinations for healthy adults. The most important treatment is not screening and early detection but real prevention. We recommend turning these director screening days into real investments in future health by changing the focus from diagnosis to treatment through prevention. One-on-one conversations, explanations, and most importantly tools to encourage lifestyle changes, will really make a difference.