Age is A Critical Factor In Wrist Function After Surgical Therapy of Patients Suffering From A-Type Distal Radius Fracture: A PROM Study
Abstract Background: Although distal radius fractures (DRF) are the most common fractures of the human body there is still no consensus concerning the best treatment option, especially for type A fractures. Moreover, studies concerning other anatomic regions could prove that patient age is of high impact on therapy and outcome. Therefore, we have quantified wrist function within a retrospective study design using PROM and we have analysed the influence of age between control and patient collective and young versus old, respectively.Patients and Methods: The retrospective study included all patients with a surgically treated DRF type A and a control group of healthy patients, age and gender matched. The function of the wrist was examined with a self-assessment questionnaire the Munich Wrist Questionnaire (MWQ) according to the patient related outcome measurements (PROM). Results: PROM was answered by 110 patients with DRF type A. The average follow-up was 66 months. 110 healthy wrists were the control group and subgroup matching induced similar age group distribution. Hence, 7 individuals < 30 years, 67 between 31 and 64 years, 29 control individuals between 65 and 79 years and 7 control individuals > 80 years, respectively. Women were significantly older than the men (59±15 vs. 47±17).In overall analysis, there was no significant difference between control and patient group (96±6 vs. 95±7). Function was significantly different between control and patient group < 30 years (100±1 vs. 98±2). In the control group the function was significantly decreasing with advanced aging whereas in the patient group this influence was absent. The difference between age group <30 and 65-79 and >80 and between 30-64 and 65-79 and >80 was significantly different with increasing age. Conclusion: PROM is a suitable tool for a retrospective study design as numerous patients can be analysed. The influence of age is critical for wrist function. Hence, we therefore strongly suggest that this information should be taken into consideration for future study plans.