Study design: Case–control study. Objectives: To assess serum myostatin levels, bone mineral density (BMD), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) and serum sclerostin levels in chronic spinal cord injured (SCI) patients and healthy controls. Setting: SCI centre in Italy. Methods: Blood samples, whole-body bioelectrical impedance analysis and BMD measurement with the ultrasound technique at the calcaneus level were taken from patients suffering from chronic SCI (both motor complete and incomplete) and healthy control subjects. Results: A total of 28 SCI patients and 15 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum myostatin levels were statistically higher (P<0.01) in SCI patients compared with healthy controls. Similar results were found comparing both the motor complete and the motor incomplete SCI subgroups to healthy controls. Serum sclerostin was significantly higher in patients with SCI compared with healthy controls (P<0.01). BMD, stiffness and mean T-score values in SCI patients were significantly lower than those in healthy controls. Serum myostatin concentrations in the motor complete SCI subgroups correlated only with serum sclerostin levels (r²=0.42; P=0.001) and ASMM (r²=0.70; P=0.002) but not in healthy controls. Discussion: Serum myostatin and serum sclerostin are significantly higher in chronic SCI patients compared with healthy controls. They are potential biomarkers of muscle and bone modifications after SCI. This is the first study reporting an increase in serum myostatin in patients suffering from chronic SCI and a correlation with ASMM.

Although botulinum toxin (BoNT) has been suggested as a treatment to counter neuropathic pain, no previous systematic reviews investigated the multidimensional effects of BoNT on pain relief and Health-Related Quality of Life (HR-QoL). The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the current evidence on the effectiveness of BoNT treatment for neuropathic pain, and to characterize its multidimensional effectiveness in order to guide physicians in clinical practice. Five databases were systematically searched up to 4 April 2022, to identify randomized controlled trials satisfying the following criteria: adults suffering from neuropathic pain, BoNT administration, any comparator, multidimensional assessment of pain as primary outcome, HR-QoL, physical function, anxiety and depression, and sleep quality as secondary outcomes. Twelve studies were included. The multidimensional pain scales used were short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Neuropathic pain scale, Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory, International SCI Pain Basic Data Set, West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory, Brief Pain Inventory, and Douleur Neuropathique 4. These scales highlighted the positive effects of BoNT administration. According to the Jadad scale, all the RCTs included were high-quality studies. BoNT administration might be effectively introduced in the comprehensive management of neuropathic pain. Further research should focus on optimal and cost-effective therapeutic protocols.

Hip fractures are common in elderly patients, and walking impairment is a frequent complication. The Cumulated Ambulation Score (CAS) is a validated functional scale used to monitor easily three basic mobility activities in patients with hip fracture. The aim of this study was to translate, cross-cultural adapt, and validate the CAS in the Italian language (CAS-I). The translation was carried out according to recommended guidelines. The final version of the CAS-I was administered to 80 geriatric patients with hip fracture admitted to a Traumatology Unit, and allowed full weight-bearing after treatment with hemiarthroplasty. Two raters evaluated each patient 2 days after surgery and then after 3 months. Statistical methods included Cronbach’s α coefficient for the scale’s internal consistency; the total agreement; and the κ coefficient for the inter-rater reliability. The concurrent validity of the scale was determined by comparing the total CAS-I (0–6 points) with the Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living score (0–4 points). Internal consistency and inter-rater reliability of the CAS, evaluated with Cronbach’s α and κ, respectively, were above 0.84 and 0.94. The SE of measurement for the total CAS-I (0–6 points) 2 days and 3 months after surgery were 0.03 and 0.13 points, respectively. The CAS-I showed a significant correlation with the first four items of the Activities of Daily Living score scale (r≥0.85, P<0.001). This study confirms the validity of the CAS-I for patients with a hemiarthroplasty after hip fracture and provides additional evidence of the psychometric properties of the scale. We suggest that the official CAS-I version be used in other settings to evaluate the basic mobility in patients with hip fracture.