Patients experienced significant post-THR improvements in Harris Hip scores , but this did not differ between impact types .
Recipients of cross-linked vs. conventional polyethylene cup liners experienced reduced femoral head penetration and revision .
There was no impact of femoral stem fixation and cup shell design on implant survival rates .
Evidence on mortality and complications ( aseptic loosening , femoral fracture ) was inconclusive .
BACKGROUND Evolvements in the design , fixation methods , size , and bearing surface of implants for  total hip replacement ( THR ) have led to a variety of options for healthcare professionals to consider .
The need to determine the most optimal combinations of THR implant is warranted .
This systematic review evaluated the clinical effectiveness of different types of THR used for the treatment of end stage arthritis of the hip .
Validity of the MACTAR questionnaire as a functional index in a rheumatoid arthritis clinical trial. The McMaster Toronto Arthritis.
OBJECTIVES The McMaster Toronto Arthritis patient preference question naire ( MACTAR ) is a functional index that measures change in impaired activities selected by each patient in a baseline interview , and change in rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) disease activity . In addition , it contains questions on the state of physical , social and emotional function and overall health , and their relation to RA . We evaluated MACTAR 's feasibility and validity ( content validity , construct validity , and responsiveness ) . METHODS A r and omized trial of combined treatment in 155 patients with early RA ; patients ' mean age at baseline was 50 years and median disease duration since diagnosis was 4 months . RESULTS Feasibility : MACTAR requires trained interviewers . In the trial , interviews took about 15 min . In longer term followup , activities selected at baseline may become less relevant as the pattern of disability changes . Followup from 153 patients ( 99 % ) was available . At least 5 impaired activities were identified and ranked by 147 patients ( 95 % ) ; interviewers could follow 99 % of these . The scoring system proved complex and required amendments . Content validity : Although its main focus is physical function , the MACTAR also contains generic questions ; 75 % of the patients named at least one impaired activity from the category " mobility . " Only 48 % were covered by Health Assessment Question naire ( HAQ ) items . Construct validity : MACTAR scores correlate highly with other functional indices and with measures of disease activity . Responsiveness : At 16 weeks the st and ardized response mean for the total MACTAR score in the combined-treatment group was excellent , at 2.2 . Items that directly address change were even more responsive . CONCLUSION The MACTAR interview is a valid and highly responsive instrument to assess change in functional ability of patients with early RA with active disease . It provides insight into problems -- mainly of physical function -- that really matter to patients . For st and ard clinical trials and clinical care , feasibility of the MACTAR is limited and the simpler HAQ remains the instrument of choice
Patients experienced significant post-THR improvements in Harris Hip scores , but this did not differ between impact types .
Recipients of cross-linked vs. conventional polyethylene cup liners experienced reduced femoral head penetration and revision .
There was no impact of femoral stem fixation and cup shell design on implant survival rates .
Evidence on mortality and complications ( aseptic loosening , femoral fracture ) was inconclusive .
BACKGROUND Evolvements in the design , fixation methods , size , and bearing surface of implants for  total hip replacement ( THR ) have led to a variety of options for healthcare professionals to consider .
The need to determine the most optimal combinations of THR implant is warranted .
This systematic review evaluated the clinical effectiveness of different types of THR used for the treatment of end stage arthritis of the hip .