Demographic Study of Hip Fractures in the Maltese Islands

Introduction: Despite hip fractures being a great public health burden, only few studies have analyzed the relationship between hip fracture incidence and socioeconomic status. Many studies found an association; however, results are in part conflicting. Objective: To analyze the impact of regional-level socioeconomic status on the incidence of hip fractures in the Maltese Islands. Method: All individuals older than 50 years who presented to the acute care hospitals in Malta and Gozo with low-energy hip fractures between December 1, 2015, and November 30, 2016, were selected. Data on individual demographics, hip fracture type, surgical intervention, and hospital stay were collected. The percentage of hip fracture and socioeconomic status of each region in the Maltese Islands were calculated. These were then analyzed for any statistical association. Results: A moderate negative correlation ( r = −0.5987, N = 454, P < .05) was found between the socioeconomic status and the incidence of hip fracture in each region. There was 5.9% (n = 27) mortality rate posed by these hip fractures. The average duration of hospital stay was 14 days, with an average delay to surgical intervention of 2 days. Conclusion: Despite the Maltese Islands having a small population (429 344 people) and a free universal national health service, our results show that districts with low socioeconomic status had a higher incidence of hip fracture. Further studies using individual socioeconomic data and longer duration are required.

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COVID-19 pandemic and hip fractures: impact and lessons learned

Bone & Joint Open ◽

10.1302/2633-1462.19.bjo-2020-0116.r1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (9) ◽

pp. 530-540

Author(s):

Mohamed Arafa ◽

Samia Nesar ◽

Hamza Abu-Jabeh ◽

Ma Odette Remelou Jayme ◽

Yegappan Kalairajah

Keyword(s):

Hip Fracture ◽

Hospital Stay ◽

Hip Fractures ◽

Care Service ◽

Health Concern ◽

Positive Group ◽

Fracture Care ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact

Aims The coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 pandemic forced an unprecedented period of challenge to the NHS in the UK where hip fractures in the elderly population are a major public health concern. There are approximately 76,000 hip fractures in the UK each year which make up a substantial proportion of the trauma workload of an average orthopaedic unit. This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hip fracture care service and the emerging lessons to withstand any future outbreaks. Methods Data were collected retrospectively on 157 hip fractures admitted from March to May 2019 and 2020. The 2020 group was further subdivided into COVID-positive and COVID-negative. Data including the four-hour target, timing to imaging, hours to operation, anaesthetic and operative details, intraoperative complications, postoperative reviews, COVID status, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), length of stay, postoperative complications, and the 30-day mortality were compiled from computer records and our local National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) export data. Results Hip fractures and inpatient falls significantly increased by 61.7% and 7.2% respectively in the 2020 group. A significant difference was found among the three groups regarding anaesthetic preparation time, anaesthetic time, and recovery time. The mortality rate in the 2020 COVID-positive group (36.8%) was significantly higher than both the 2020 COVID-negative and 2019 groups (11.5% and 11.7% respectively). The hospital stay was significantly higher in the COVID-positive group (mean of 24.21 days (SD 19.29)). Conclusion COVID-19 has had notable effects on the hip fracture care service: hip fracture rates increased significantly. There were inefficiencies in theatre processes for which we have recommended the use of alternate theatres. COVID-19 infection increased the 30-day mortality and hospital stay in hip fractures. More research needs to be done to reduce this risk. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-9:530–540.

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The impact of COVID-19 infection on hip fracture 30-day mortality

Trauma ◽

10.1177/1460408620949725 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 146040862094972

Author(s):

Ahmed Fadulelmola ◽

Rob Gregory ◽

Gavin Gordon ◽

Fiona Smith ◽

Andrew Jennings

Keyword(s):

Hip Fracture ◽

Hip Fractures ◽

Hospital Admissions ◽

The Elderly ◽

Primary Outcome Measure ◽

Time To Death ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

The Impact ◽

Mean Time

Introduction: A novel virus, SARS-CoV-2, has caused a fatal global pandemic which particularly affects the elderly and those with comorbidities. Hip fractures affect elderly populations, necessitate hospital admissions and place this group at particular risk from COVID-19 infection. This study investigates the effect of COVID-19 infection on 30-day hip fracture mortality. Method: Data related to 75 adult hip fractures admitted to two units during March and April 2020 were reviewed. The mean age was 83.5 years (range 65–98 years), and most (53, 70.7%) were women. The primary outcome measure was 30-day mortality associated with COVID-19 infection. Results: The COVID-19 infection rate was 26.7% (20 patients), with a significant difference in the 30-day mortality rate in the COVID-19-positive group (10/20, 50%) compared to the COVID-19-negative group (4/55, 7.3%), with mean time to death of 19.8 days (95% confidence interval: 17.0–22.5). The mean time from admission to surgery was 43.1 h and 38.3 h, in COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative groups, respectively. All COVID-19-positive patients had shown symptoms of fever and cough, and all 10 cases who died were hypoxic. Seven (35%) cases had radiological lung findings consistent of viral pneumonitis which resulted in mortality (70% of mortality). 30% ( n = 6) contracted the COVID-19 infection in the community, and 70% ( n = 14) developed symptoms after hospital admission. Conclusion: Hip fractures associated with COVID-19 infection have a high 30-day mortality. COVID-19 testing and chest X-ray for patients presenting with hip fractures help in early planning of high-risk surgeries and allow counselling of the patients and family using realistic prognosis.

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Meta-analysis and metaregression of risk factors associated with mortality in hip fracture patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89617-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Firas J. Raheman ◽

Djamila M. Rojoa ◽

Jvalant Nayan Parekh ◽

Reshid Berber ◽

Robert Ashford

Keyword(s):

Hip Fracture ◽

Hip Fractures ◽

Case Fatality Rate ◽

Excess Mortality ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Case Fatality ◽

Pooled Analysis ◽

Fatality Rate ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Impact

AbstractIncidence of hip fractures has remained unchanged during the pandemic with overlapping vulnerabilities observed in patients with hip fractures and those infected with COVID-19. We aimed to investigate the independent impact of COVID-19 infection on the mortality of these patients. Healthcare databases were systematically searched over 2-weeks from 1st–14th November 2020 to identify eligible studies assessing the impact of COVID-19 on hip fracture patients. Meta-analysis of proportion was performed to obtain pooled values of prevalence, incidence and case fatality rate of hip fracture patients with COVID-19 infection. 30-day mortality, excess mortality and all-cause mortality were analysed using a mixed-effects model. 22 studies reporting 4015 patients were identified out of which 2651 (66%) were assessed during the pandemic. An excess mortality of 10% was seen for hip fractures treated during the pandemic (OR 2.00, p = 0.007), in comparison to the pre-pandemic controls (5%). Estimated mortality of COVID-19 positive hip fracture patients was four-fold (RR 4.59, p < 0.0001) and 30-day mortality was 38.0% (HR 4.73, p < 0.0001). The case fatality rate for COVID-19 positive patients was 34.74%. Between-study heterogeneity for the pooled analysis was minimal (I2 = 0.00) whereas, random effects metaregression identified subgroup heterogeneity for male gender (p < 0.001), diabetes (p = 0.002), dementia (p = 0.001) and extracapsular fractures (p = 0.01) increased risk of mortality in COVID-19 positive patients.

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The independent patient factors that affect length of stay following hip fractures

Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England ◽

10.1308/rcsann.2018.0068 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 100 (7) ◽

pp. 556-562 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

T Richards ◽

A Glendenning ◽

D Benson ◽

S Alexander ◽

S Thati

Keyword(s):

Hip Fracture ◽

Length Of Stay ◽

Hospital Stay ◽

Hip Fractures ◽

Length Of Hospital Stay ◽

Hospital Length ◽

Acute Hospital ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Patient Factors ◽

Mobility Status

Introduction Management of hip fractures has evolved over recent years to drive better outcomes including length of hospital stay. We aimed to identify and quantify the effect that patient factors influence acute hospital and total health service length of stay. Methods A retrospective observational study based on National Hip Fracture Database data was conducted from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2015. A multiple regression analysis of 330 patients was carried out to determine independent factors that affect acute hospital and total hospital length of stay. Results American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade 3 or above, Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS) less than 8 and poor mobility status were independent factors, significantly increasing length of hospital stay in our population. Acute hospital length of stay can be predicted as 8.9 days longer when AMTS less than 8, 4.2 days longer when ASA grade was 3 or above and 20.4 days longer when unable to mobilise unaided (compared with independently mobile individuals). Other factors including total hip replacement compared with hemiarthroplasty did not independently affect length of stay. Conclusions Our analysis in a representative and generalisable population illustrates the importance of identifying these three patient characteristics in hip fracture patients. When recognised and targeted with orthogeriatric support, the length of hospital stay for these patients can be reduced and overall hip fracture care improved. Screening on admission for ASA grade, AMTS and mobility status allows prediction of length of stay and tailoring of care to match needs.

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The effects of major depression disorder on neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome surgery outcomes

Vascular ◽

10.1177/17085381211062747 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 170853812110627

Author(s):

Khaled I Alnahhal ◽

Suhas Penukonda ◽

Ranjana Lingutla ◽

Ali Irshad ◽

Genève M Allison ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Hospital Stay ◽

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome ◽

Surgical Intervention ◽

Hospital Charges ◽

Prolonged Hospital Stay ◽

Total Hospital ◽

Multivariable Logistic Regression ◽

Prolonged Hospital ◽

The Impact

Objectives Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a group of disorders caused by impingement of the neurovascular structures at the thoracic outlet. Neurogenic TOS (nTOS), which is thought to be caused by a compression of the brachial plexus, accounts for more than 90% of the cases. Although treatment for nTOS is successful through physiotherapy and/or surgical decompression, little is known about the impact of psychosocial factors, namely, major depressive disorder (MDD), on postoperative outcomes such as non-routine discharge (NRD). Here, we assess whether MDD predicts the type of discharge following nTOS surgical intervention. Methods A retrospective analysis of the National Inpatient Sample database from the years 2005–2018 was performed. Using the International Classification of Diseases Clinical Modification, Ninth and Tenth revisions, patients who underwent a surgical intervention for nTOS were identified. Our primary outcome was to investigate the effects of MDD on nTOS patient disposition status after surgical management; secondary outcomes included analysis of total hospital charges and length of stay. NRD was defined as anything beyond discharge home without healthcare services. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess MDD and other potential independent predictors of NRD and prolonged hospital stay (> 2 days) following surgical intervention. Results A total of 6099 patients were identified: 596 (9.77%) patients with MDD and 5503 (90.23%) without MDD. On average, patients with MDD were older (39.6 ± 12.0 years vs. 36.0 ± 13.0 years; p < 0.001), female (80.7% vs. 63.5%; p < 0.001), white (89.6% vs. 85.6%; p = 0.030), and on Medicare (9.6% vs 5.2%; p < 0.001). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models identified MDD as an independent risk factor associated with a higher risk of NRD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0–2.2). Additionally, chronic kidney disease (aOR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.2–5.4), postoperative complications (aOR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.2–2.9), and Medicare (aOR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.9–4.7) were statistically significant predictors for higher risk of NRD. However, MDD was not associated with prolonged hospital stay (aOR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.8–1.2) or higher median of total charges (MDD group: $27,867 vs. non-MDD group: $28,123; p = 0.799). Conclusion Comorbid MDD was strongly associated with higher NRD rates following nTOS surgical intervention. MDD had no significant impact on length of hospital stay or total hospital charges. Additional prospective research is necessary in order to better evaluate the impact of MDD in patients with nTOS.

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How Do Technology Application and Equity Impact Student Achievement?

International Journal of Cyber Ethics in Education ◽

10.4018/ijcee.2011040101 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Tak Cheung Chan

Keyword(s):

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Student Achievement ◽

Low Socioeconomic Status ◽

Standardized Test ◽

School Level ◽

Technology Application ◽

Student Socioeconomic Status ◽

And Mathematics ◽

Impact Of Technology ◽

The Impact

This study examines the impact of technology application on student achievement in the state of Georgia. Technology application includes elements such as technology access, technology integration, and teacher technology proficiency. Student achievement refers to students’ standardized test scores in language, social studies, sciences, and mathematics in elementary, middle, and high schools. Results of Multiple Regression analysis yielded significant percentages of variance in student achievement that was attributable to Internet connected computer access. Another purpose of the study was to investigate the equity issues of school technology. School levels and student socioeconomic status were used as independent variables to determine if significant differences in technology application existed among the school levels and the socioeconomic status categories. Results of Analysis of Variance indicated that students of low socioeconomic status had far less opportunities to access Internet connected computers than students of high socioeconomic status. The level of technology application increased as students moved up the school level.

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Socioeconomic status and survival among older adults with dementia and depression

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.bp.113.134734 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 204 (6) ◽

pp. 436-440 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Ruoling Chen ◽

Zhi Hu ◽

Li Wei ◽

Kenneth Wilson

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Low Socioeconomic Status ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Late Life Depression ◽

People With Dementia ◽

Risk Of Mortality ◽

The Impact

BackgroundPeople from lower socioeconomic groups have a higher risk of mortality. The impact of low socioeconomic status on survival among older adults with dementia and depression remains unclear.AimsTo investigate the association between socioeconomic status and mortality in people with dementia and late-life depression in China.MethodUsing Geriatric Mental Status – Automated Geriatric Examination for Computer Assisted Taxonomy (GMS-AGECAT) we interviewed 2978 people aged ⩾60 years in Anhui, China. We characterised baseline socioeconomic status and risk factors and diagnosed 223 people with dementia and 128 with depression. All-cause mortality was followed up over 5.6 years.ResultsIndividuals with dementia living in rural areas had a three times greater risk of mortality (multivariate adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 2.96, 95% CI 1.45–6.04) than those in urban areas, and for those with depression the HR was 4.15 (95% CI 1.59–10.83). There were similar mortality rates when comparing people with dementia with lowv.high levels of education, occupation and income, but individuals with depression with lowv.high levels had non-significant increases in mortality of 11%, 50% and 55% respectively.ConclusionsOlder adults with dementia and depression living in rural China had a significantly higher risk of mortality than urban counterparts. Interventions should be implemented in rural areas to tackle survival inequality in dementia and depression.

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Az ellenoldali csípőtáji törésig eltelt időt befolyásoló prognosztikai tényezők vizsgálata

Orvosi Hetilap ◽

10.1556/650.2018.31179 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 159 (38) ◽

pp. 1543-1547

Author(s):

Krisztina Juhász ◽

Imre Boncz ◽

Péter Kanizsai ◽

Andor Sebestyén

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Prognostic Factors ◽

Hip Fracture ◽

Femoral Neck ◽

Femoral Neck Fracture ◽

Hip Fractures ◽

Age Groups ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Neck Fracture ◽

The Impact

Abstract: Introduction: Although several national studies reported on the risk factors for contralateral hip fracture, there are no data about the prognostic factors of the time until contralateral hip fractures. Aim: The aim of the study was to analyse the impact of different prognostic factors on the time until the development of contralateral fracture and to determine the incidence of contralateral hip fractures after femoral neck fractures. Method: Patients aged 60 years and over with contralateral hip fracture between 01 Jan 2000 and 31 Dec 2008 were identified among those who suffered their femoral neck fracture in Hungary in 2000. Risk factors as age, sex, comorbidities, type of fracture and surgery, place of living and hospitals providing treatment for primary fracture were analysed by one way ANOVA focusing on the time until the development of contralateral hip fracture. Results: 312 patients met the inclusion criteria. The incidence of contralateral hip fracture after femoral neck fracture ranged between 1.5% and 2.1%, the cumulative incidence was 8.24%. The mean time until the development of contralateral hip fracture was 1159.8 days. The incidence of contralateral hip fracture showed no significant deviation. Significantly shorter time (p = 0.010) was detected until the contralateral hip fracture in older patients with femoral neck fracture. Conclusions: The yearly incidence of contralateral hip fracture showed no significant difference by patients with femoral neck fracture over 60 years. The shorter time until the contralateral hip fracture by the older age groups highlights the need of elaboration of prevention strategies. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(38): 1543–1547.

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Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Return to Work after Acute Ankle Fracture

Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics ◽

10.1177/2473011420s00200 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 2473011420S0020

Author(s):

Alessandra L. Falk ◽

Regina Hanstein ◽

Chaiyaporn Kulsakdinun

Keyword(s):

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Return To Work ◽

Low Socioeconomic Status ◽

Ankle Fracture ◽

Low Ses ◽

Insurance Status ◽

Low Socioeconomic ◽

The Impact ◽

Zip Code

Category: Ankle; Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Socioeconomic status has been recognized throughout the medical literature, both within orthopedics and beyond, as a factor that influences outcomes after surgery, and can result in substandard care. Within the foot and ankle subspecialty, there is limited data regarding socioeconomic status and post-operative outcomes, with the current literature focusing on outcomes for diabetic feet. However, ankle fractures are among the most common fractures encountered by orthopedic surgeons. While a few studies have explored the impact of ankle fractures on employment and disability status, the effect of socioeconomic status on return to work post operatively has not yet been investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of low socioeconomic status on return to work. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 592 medical charts of patients with CPT code 27766, 27792, 27814, 27822, 27823, 27827, 27829, 27826, 27828 from 2015-2018. Included were patients >18 yrs of age who sustained an acute ankle fracture, were employed prior to the injury, and with information on return to work after ankle surgery, zip code, race, ethnicity and insurance status. Excluded were patients who were not employed prior to their injury. Socioeconomic status was either defined by insurance status - Medicaid/Medicare, commercial, or workman’s compensation -, or by assessing socioeconomic status (SES) using medial household per capita income by zip code as generated and reported by the US National Census Bureau’s 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. The national dataset was divided into quartiles with the lowest quartile defined as low SES. Patients who had income that fell within this income category were classified as low SES. Results: 174 patients were included with an average follow-up of 10.2months. 22/174 (12.6%) patients didn’t return to work post-operatively. Univariate analysis identified non-sedentary work to decrease the likelihood of return to work (HR:0.637; p=0.03). Patients with a low SES were more prevalent in the no return group compared to the return to work group (86% vs 60%; p=0.028). 95% of patients with low SES were a minority compared to 56% with average/high SES (p<0.005). Patients with low SES had a higher BMI (p=0.026), a longer hospitalization (p=0.04) and more wound complications (p=0.032). Insurance type didn’t affect return to work (p=0.158). Patients with workman’s compensation had a longer follow-up time and a longer time to return to work compared to other insurances (p<0.005 for each comparison). Conclusion: Low socioeconomic status based on income, not insurance type, affected return to work after an ankle fracture ORIF. Patients with workman’s compensation took a longer time to return to work compared to other insurance types. These findings warrants the need to consider socioeconomic status when allocating resources to treat these patients.

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Assessment and Early Management of Pain in Hip Fractures: The Impact of Paracetamol

Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/2151459318806443 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 215145931880644 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ján Dixon ◽

Fiona Ashton ◽

Paul Baker ◽

Karl Charlton ◽

Charlotte Bates ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hip Fracture ◽

Hip Fractures ◽

Pain Control ◽

Patient Comfort ◽

Central Feature ◽

Significant Finding ◽

Early Management ◽

Intravenous Paracetamol ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

The Impact

Introduction: As the number of patients sustaining hip fractures increases, interventions aimed at improving patient comfort and reducing complication burden acquire increased importance. Frailty, cognitive impairment, and difficulty in assessing pain control characterize this population. In order to inform future care, a review of pain assessment and the use of preoperative intravenous paracetamol (IVP) is presented. Materials and Methods: Systematic review of preoperative IVP administration in patients presenting with a hip fracture. Results: Intravenous paracetamol is effective in the early management of pain control in the hip fracture population. There is a considerable decrease in use of breakthrough pain medications when compared with other pain relief modalities. Additionally, IVP reduces the incidence of opioid-induced complications, reduces length of stay, and lowers mean pain scores. Another significant finding of this study is the poor administration of all analgesics to patients with hip fracture with up to 72% receiving no prehospital analgesia. Discussion: The potential benefits of IVP as routine in the early management of hip fracture-related pain are clear. Studies of direct comparison between analgesia regimes to inform optimum bundles of analgesic care are sparse. This study highlights the need for properly constructed pathway-driven comparator studies of contemporary analgesia regimes, with IVP as a central feature to optimize pain control and minimize analgesia-related morbidity in this vulnerable population.

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