Association between Smoking Status and the Risk of Hip Fracture in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

BACKGRUOUND: Limited longitudinal evidence exists regarding the potential association between smoking status and hip fracture among individuals with type 2 diabetes. We investigated this association using large-scale, nationwide cohort data for the Korean population. METHODS: This nationwide cohort study included 1,414,635 adults aged 40 and older who received Korean National Health Insurance Service health examinations between 2009 and 2012. Subjects with type 2 diabetes were categorized according to their smoking status, amount smoked (pack-years), number of cigarettes smoked per day, and duration of smoking. The results are presented as hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between smoking status parameters and risk of hip fracture in multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. RESULTS: Compared with never-smokers, an increased adjusted HR (aHR) for hip fracture was observed in current smokers (1.681; 95% CI, 1.578 to 1.791), and a comparable aHR for hip fracture was found in former smokers (1.065; 95% CI, 0.999 to 1.136). For former smokers who had smoked 20 pack-years or more, the risk was slightly higher than that for never-smokers (aHR, 1.107; 95% CI, 1.024 to 1.196). The hip fracture risk of female former smokers was similar to that of female current smokers, but the hip fracture risk in male former smokers was similar to that of male never-smokers. CONCLUSION: Smoking is associated with an increased risk of hip fracture in patients with type 2 diabetes. Current smokers with diabetes should be encouraged to quit smoking because the risk of hip fracture is greatly reduced in former smokers.

Clinical Significance of Discordance between Hip and Spine Bone Mineral Density in Korean Elderly Patients with Hip Fractures.

The clinical significance of BMD discordance has not yet been elucidated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of BMD discordance between the hip and spine for hip fractures. The BMD was measured and related factors were investigated in 109 elderly patients hospitalized for a hip fracture (fracture group) and 109 patients hospitalized without a hip fracture (non-fracture group). BMD discordance of the hip and spine was classified as minor discordance (normal and osteopenia, and osteopenia and osteoporosis) and major discordance (normal and osteoporosis). The risk of hip fracture was calculated according to the type of discordance: no discordance, low hip, and lower spine. There was no significant difference between the general characteristics of the fracture group and the non-fracture group. The rate of BMD discordance and low hip discordance were significantly higher in the fracture group (53.2%, 43.1%) than in the non-fracture group (28.4%, 19.3%). The odds ratio of hip fracture was 2.86 times higher in patients with BMD discordance than in those without discordance and 3.42 times higher in the patients with low hip discordance than in those without no hip discordance. The presence of discordance, particularly when there is low hip discordance, might be related to the hip fractures.

Physical activity and reduced risk of fracture in thyroid cancer patients after thyroidectomy - a nationwide cohort study.

Objectives: Levothyroxine suppressive therapy following thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer patients is considered as a risk factor for osteoporosis and fragility fractures. We evaluated the association of regular exercise and exercise habit change with fracture risk in adults older than 40 years who underwent thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer. Methods: We enrolled the patients who underwent thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer older than 40 years between 2010 and 2016 from the Korean National Health Insurance Service data, and they were followed through 2019. Based on the questionnaire of health examination within 2 years before and after surgery, whether regular exercise once a week was evaluated. The reference group for the statistical analysis was the continuing lack of physical activity group that did not exercise before or after surgery. For fractures newly diagnosed during the follow-up period, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed for risk evaluation. Results: We evaluated 74,774 subjects, of whom 2,924 (3.9%) experienced any fractures during a median follow-up of 4.5 years. Compared with the group consistently lack of physical activity, the group that exercised before and after surgery showed a significant decrease in the risk of any fracture, vertebral fracture, and hip fracture: adjusted hazard ratio 0.848 (95% Confidence Interval 0.771-0.932), 0.703 (0.591-0.836), and 0.405 (0.224-0.732), respectively. For vertebral fracture, a significant reduction in fracture risk was confirmed even in patients who started their regular exercise after surgery: adjusted hazard ratio 0.779 (0.648-0.936). The risk reduction for vertebral fractures upon the initiation of exercise was found to be significant in the high-risk groups of patients: women and total thyroidectomy patients. Conclusion: We suggest that maintaining or starting regular exercise after surgery may help prevent fractures in thyroid cancer patients older than 40 years who have undergone thyroidectomy.

Decreased Risk of Knee Osteoarthritis with Taller Height in an East Asian Population: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have explored factors impacting osteoarthritis (OA), but its relationship with height remains uncertain. This study investigates the relationship between height and osteoarthritis risk in South Korea. METHODS: Participants aged 50 or older who underwent health screenings in 2009 were selected from the National Health Insurance System database. A total of 1,138,904 subjects were divided into height quartiles (Q1-Q4) based on age and gender. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess knee osteoarthritis incidence risk, with the shortest quartile (Q1) as the reference. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, sex, income, smoking, drinking, exercise, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and body mass index (BMI), no significant difference in OA incidence risk based on height was observed. However, when adjusted for weight instead of BMI, we observed a gradual decrease in hazard ratio with increasing height. The hazard ratio for the tallest group was 0.787 (95% CI, 0.781~0.795). Similar results were obtained in all subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to previous studies, our findings present a clear distinction. Therefore, there may be racial differences in the association between height and knee OA risk, and our study provides evidence that, in East Asian populations, taller individuals have a reduced risk of knee OA.

Periprosthetic Fracture around a Cemented Stem in Total Hip Arthroplasty.

The increase in the number of primary total hip arthroplasties that will be performed over the next several decades will lead to an increase in the incidence of periprosthetic fractures around the femoral stem. A search of targeted articles was conducted using on-line databases of PubMed (National Library of Medicine) and articles were obtained from January 2008 to November 2021. Reliable prediction of treatment can be achieved using the Vancouver classification; internal fixation is indicated in fractures involving a stable implant and revision arthroplasty is indicated in those with unstable prostheses. To the best of our knowledge, relatively fewer studies regarding periprosthetic proximal femur fractures of cemented stems have been reported. The focus of this review is on the risk factors and strategies for treatment of these fractures for periprosthetic femoral fractures around a cemented hip arthroplasty.

Use of an intramedullary fibular strut allograft and dual locking plate in periprosthetic fractures above total knee arthroplasty: new application of a well-known treatment method in trauma.

PURPOSE: Augmenting fracture fixation with intramedullary fibular graft has seen several applications such as in comminuted proximal humerus fractures, and femoral neck and shaft nonunion. The purpose of this study was to report the first case series demonstrating the novel application of an intramedullary fibular allograft strut and dual locking plates on complicated periprosthetic fracture of distal femur. METHODS: The patient demographics, weight-bearing status, and radiographic and clinical outcomes of six patients, who were treated for periprosthetic distal femur fractures using an intramedullary fibular allograft strut and dual locking plate, between January 2018 and April 2020 were analyzed. RESULTS: Postoperative range of knee motion showed median 10' (range 10-20) of flexion contracture and 90' (range 80-110) of further flexion. Postoperative joint function was assessed according to the Kolmert functional criteria, with "excellent to good" in angular deformity and "Good to fair" result in range of motion and pain. RUSH score was assessed, and median score was 24 (range 18-26). All patients were able to ambulate without assistance 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: In summary, the application of fibular strut graft and dual locking plate might be an option in complicated distal femur fracture above total knee arthroplasty. Albeit with an available number, such application showed promise as an intramedullary and cortical support for both reduction and maintenance of correction alignment, length, and prevention of further angular deformity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: Surgical technique and Cases-series.

Traumatic Atlanto-occipital Dislocation: Analysis of 15 Survival Cases With Emphasis on Associated Upper Cervical Spine Injuries.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case analyses. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of associated upper cervical spine injuries in 15 survival cases of traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation (AOD). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Traumatic AOD is a rare and generally fatal injury. Information regarding associated upper cervical spine injuries that may affect treatment methods, outcomes, and prognosis is limited. METHODS: Fifteen patients (11 patients with posterior-type AOD and four patients with vertical-type AOD) who survived traumatic AOD were included in this study. Plain radiographs, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and medical records were reviewed. The incidence and characteristics of associated upper and lower cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine injuries and brain injuries were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with traumatic AOD (11 patients with posterior-type AOD and two patients with vertical-type AOD) showed associated upper cervical spine injuries; the overall incidence was 87% (100% in posterior-type AOD and 50% in vertical-type AOD). In posterior-type AOD, eight (72.7%) patients had C1 fractures (four patients had three-part fracture, three patients had two-part fracture, and one patient had four-part fracture), four (36.4%) patients had C1 lateral mass fractures, two (18.2%) patients had transverse atlantal ligament injuries. In vertical-type AOD, two (50%) patients had C1-C2 vertical subluxation with C1 anterior arch horizontal and sagittal split fractures. In posterior-type AOD, two (18%) patients had lower cervical spine injuries and one (9%) patient had brain injury. In vertical-type AOD, one (25%) patient had thoracic spine injury, and three (75%) patients had brain injuries additionally. CONCLUSION: Survival cases with traumatic AOD showed a high incidence of associated upper cervical spine injuries and brain injuries. High index of suspicion and careful radiologic examination are needed to investigate the presence of associated upper cervical spine injuries and brain injuries in traumatic AOD, which affects treatment, outcome, and prognosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

The effect of prolonged rhBMP-2 treatment on telomerase activity, replicative capacity and senescence of human nucleus pulposus cells.

We investigated the effect of prolonged rhBMP-2 treatment on telomerase activity, replicative capacity and senescence of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) during long term culture. We obtained intervertebral disc (IVD) tissues with grade III degeneration from four patients. NPCs were isolated and passaged serially in three groups: control group, low-dose rhBMP-2 group and high-dose rhBMP-2 group until the cells reached the end of their replicative lifespan. Cumulative population doubling level (CPDL), telomerase activity and senescence markers, senescence-associated ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-gal), p53, p21, and p16, were assessed. The replicative capacity of NPCs in the high-dose rhBMP-2 group was decreased significantly compared to the control and low-dose rhBMP-2 groups. Mean telomerase activity was significantly greater in the high-dose rhBMP-2 group compared to the control and low-dose rhBMP-2 groups. The percentage of SA-ß-gal-positive NPCs increased more rapidly in the high-dose rhBMP-2 group with passaging compared to the control and low-dose rhBMP-2 groups. The expression of p53, p21, and p16 in both low and high dose rhBMP-2 groups increased in all passages compared to the control group. We found that prolonged high-dose rhBMP-2 treatment increased telomerase activity of human NPCs, but decreased replicative capacity and lifespan in long term culture. We also found that excessive growth stimulation by prolonged high-dose rhBMP-2 treatment can promote NPCs senescence and result in growth arrest.

Histological Changes in Biceps Muscle after Tenotomizing the Biceps Long Head in a Rat Model.

BACKGROUND: Popeye deformity is common after rupture of the biceps muscle's long head tendon. Herein, we report on histological changes in biceps brachii muscles following tenotomy of the long head biceps tendon. METHODS: Twelve Sprague-Dawley rats (12-week-old) underwent tenotomy of the long head biceps tendon in the right shoulder. At postoperative weeks 4, 7, and 10, the operative shoulders were removed by detaching the biceps brachii muscle from the glenoid scapula and humerus; the opposite shoulders were removed as controls. H&E staining was performed to elucidate histological changes in myocytes. Oil-red O staining was performed to determine fatty infiltration. Myostatin antibody immunohistochemistry staining was performed as myostatin is expressed by skeletal muscle cells during myogenesis. RESULTS: H&E staining results revealed no changes in muscle cell nuclei. There were no adipocytes detected. Compared with that of the control biceps, the cross-sectional area of the long head biceps was significantly smaller (p=0.00). Statistical changes in the total extent of the 100 muscle cells were significant (p=0.00). Oil-red O staining revealed no fatty infiltration. Myostatin antibody immunohistochemical staining revealed no significant difference between the two sides. CONCLUSIONS: Muscular changes after tenotomy of the long head biceps included a decrease in the size of the individual muscle cells and in relative muscle mass. There were no changes observed in muscle cell nuclei and no fatty infiltration. Moreover, there were no changes detected by myostatin antibody immunohistochemistry assay.