RELATION OF FEMUR FRACTURES LOCATION WITH CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN ELDERLY PATIENTS.

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the possible relationship between the anatomical location of the PFF (head-neck fractures) and the demographic features, comorbidities, and risk factors of elderly patients. Methods: 233 patients aged 65 years and over, who were admitted to the emergency department with a diagnosis of proximal femur fracture were included in this study. Results: Most patients (59.6%) had a trochanteric fracture. The incidence of trochanteric fractures had a statistically significant positive correlation with age. Falls at ground level were found to be highly associated with trochanteric fractures (92,8%). At least one complication was observed in 57 (41,0%) cases and 31 (22,3%) died in one year, of the patients with trochanteric fractures. Comorbidity was not related to fracture location statistically. Fall ground level (p = 0.013), complication rate (73.7%; p <0.001), and Charlesen comorbidity index (p = 0.019) were statistically significantly associated with death. The logistic regression analysis of variables determined that only the quantity of comorbidities may be related to femoral neck fractures (p = 0.047). Conclusion: Female patients with trochanteric fractures were found to be older than male patients. Fall ground level, mortality, and complications were more frequently seen in patients with trochanteric fractures. Level of Evidence II, Retrospective study.

Objetivos: Este estudo foi desenhado para investigar a possível relação entre a localização anatômica da PFP (fraturas de cabeça e pescoço) e as características demográficas, comorbidades e fatores de risco de pacientes idosos. Métodos: Foram incluídos 233 pacientes com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos, admitidos no pronto-socorro com diagnóstico de fratura do fêmur proximal. Resultados: A maioria dos pacientes (59,6%) apresentou fratura trocantérica. A incidência de fraturas trocanterianas apresentou correlação positiva estatisticamente significativa com a idade. Verificou-se que as quedas no nível do solo estão altamente associadas às fraturas trocantéricas (92,8%). Pelo menos uma complicação foi observada em 57 (41%) casos e 31 (22,3%) morreram em um ano, dos pacientes com fraturas trocantéricas. A comoborbidade não foi realizada estatisticamente com a localização da fratura. Queda do nível do solo (p = 0,013), taxa de complicações (73,7%; p < 0,001), índice de comorbidade charlesen (p = 0,019) foram estatisticamente significativamente associados à morte. Na análise de regressão logística das variáveis, determinou-se que apenas a quantidade de comorbidades pode estar relacionada às fraturas do colo do fêmur (p = 0,047). Conclusão: Pacientes do sexo feminino com fraturas trocantéricas foram consideradas mais velhas do que pacientes do sexo masculino. Queda no nível do solo, mortalidade e complicações foram observadas com mais frequência em pacientes com fraturas trocantéricas. Nível de evidência II, Estudo retrospectivo .

Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Effects of L-arginine Administration After Traumatic Brain Injury and Hemorrhagic Shock in Rats.

AIM: To investigate the effect of fluid resuscitation and L-arginine administration on oxidant status markers, blood gases, lactate and apoptosis in the brain tissue of a rat model of TBI with hemorrhagic shock. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 60 rats were divided into six groups: control, isotonic saline-treated, 7.5% NaCl-treated (hypertonic saline), L-arginine-treated (100 mg/kg), saline + L-arginine-treated and 7.5% NaCl + L-arginine-treated groups. Closed head contusive weight-drop injuries were performed with hemorrhagic shock in all of the groups. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse rate, lactate, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and apoptosis were investigated. RESULTS: In a total of 48 rats, MAP levels remained higher than 60 mmHg for 3 hours in all of the treatment groups. The highest MAP values in each group were recorded. Higher MDA and lower TAC levels were observed in the control group than in all of the treatment groups (all p < 0.05). The number of apoptotic cells was highest in the control group and lowest in the L-arginine group. CONCLUSION: L-arginine administration may be an alternative treatment option for individualized fluid resuscitation in patients with TBI and hemorrhagic shock.

The effect of Ramadan on elderly patients presenting to the emergency department.

Background Patients visiting the emergency department (ED) may show variations by certain time periods such as Ramadan. We wished to ascertain whether Ramadan affects the ED presentations, clinical conditions and outcomes of patients aged 65 years or older. Methods . Patients aged 65 years or older who presented to ED in Ramadan and in the following month in 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Results . A total of 1947 patients were enrolled, of whom 958 presented in Ramadan and 989 in the following month. The patients who presented in Ramadan most commonly (23.8%) presented between 8 p.m. and 11.59 p.m.; patients who presented in the following month most commonly (24%) presented between 8 a.m. and 11.59 a.m. (p=0.26). Complaints concerning the central nervous system (CNS) were more common in the month after Ramadan (p<0.0001). Diagnoses related to the cardiovascular system were more commonly made in Ramadan (p=0.037), whereas those related to CNS, otorhinolaryngology and oncology were more commonly made in the following month (p=0.0005, p=0.024 and p=0.003, respectively). No significant difference was found between the two groups with respect to outcomes (p=0.36). Compared to patients who presented in Ramadan, those that presented in the following month had a significantly longer ED stay (p=0.036). Conclusion . Our study detected no significant difference between the two groups with respect to the time of presentation and ED outcomes. Patients who presented in Ramadan had a lower incidence of CNS complaints; a higher incidence of cardiovascular diagnoses; lower incidences of CNS, oncological and otorhinolaryngological diagnoses and a significantly shorter length of ED stay.

Retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with severe hyponatraemia in the emergency department.

Background . We investigated the demographic, aetiological and clinical characteristics of patients who presented to the emergency department and had severe hyponatraemia. Methods . We retrospectively evaluated 1171 patients who presented to the emergency department and were diagnosed with severe hyponatraemia. Results . Over half the patients studied were women (53.5%). The mean age of women was higher (p<0.0001). The most common complaint was dyspnoea (16.8%) and 42.5% of the patients had an oral intake disorder. In addition, 22.3% of the patients were on loop diuretics. About 76.3% of patients were conscious, and the mean sodium level of these patients was higher than the mean sodium level of those who responded to verbal and painful stimuli (p<0.001). Severe isolated hyponatraemia was observed in 61.8% of the patients. The mortality rate was 12.8%. There was no difference between the mean sodium levels of the deceased and discharged patients (p=1.0). The mortality rate was higher in patients who had a history of cirrhosis and cancer, but was lower in patients with a history of coronary artery disease (p=0.0002, p<0.0001 and p=0.04, respectively). Conclusion . Severe hyponatraemia was more prevalent in women, serum sodium levels were higher in conscious patients, and the mortality rate was higher in patients who had a history of cirrhosis and cancer. We found that the mean serum sodium levels did not help in distinguishing between the deceased and discharged patients.

Relation of femur fractures location with clinical outcomes in elderly patients / Relação da localização das fraturas de fêmur com desfechos clínicos em pacientes idosos

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the possible relationship between the anatomical location of the PFF (head-neck fractures) and the demographic features, comorbidities, and risk factors of elderly patients. Methods: 233 patients aged 65 years and over, who were admitted to the emergency department with a diagnosis of proximal femur fracture were included in this study. Results: Most patients (59.6%) had a trochanteric fracture. The incidence of trochanteric fractures had a statistically significant positive correlation with age. Falls at ground level were found to be highly associated with trochanteric fractures (92,8%). At least one complication was observed in 57 (41,0%) cases and 31 (22,3%) died in one year, of the patients with trochanteric fractures. Comorbidity was not related to fracture location statistically. Fall ground level (p = 0.013), complication rate (73.7%; p <0.001), and Charlesen comorbidity index (p = 0.019) were statistically significantly associated with death. The logistic regression analysis of variables determined that only the quantity of comorbidities may be related to femoral neck fractures (p = 0.047). Conclusion: Female patients with trochanteric fractures were found to be older than male patients. Fall ground level, mortality, and complications were more frequently seen in patients with trochanteric fractures. Level of Evidence II, Retrospective study.

RESUMO Objetivos: Este estudo foi desenhado para investigar a possível relação entre a localização anatômica da PFP (fraturas de cabeça e pescoço) e as características demográficas, comorbidades e fatores de risco de pacientes idosos. Métodos: Foram incluídos 233 pacientes com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos, admitidos no pronto-socorro com diagnóstico de fratura do fêmur proximal. Resultados: A maioria dos pacientes (59,6%) apresentou fratura trocantérica. A incidência de fraturas trocanterianas apresentou correlação positiva estatisticamente significativa com a idade. Verificou-se que as quedas no nível do solo estão altamente associadas às fraturas trocantéricas (92,8%). Pelo menos uma complicação foi observada em 57 (41%) casos e 31 (22,3%) morreram em um ano, dos pacientes com fraturas trocantéricas. A comoborbidade não foi realizada estatisticamente com a localização da fratura. Queda do nível do solo (p = 0,013), taxa de complicações (73,7%; p < 0,001), índice de comorbidade charlesen (p = 0,019) foram estatisticamente significativamente associados à morte. Na análise de regressão logística das variáveis, determinou-se que apenas a quantidade de comorbidades pode estar relacionada às fraturas do colo do fêmur (p = 0,047). Conclusão: Pacientes do sexo feminino com fraturas trocantéricas foram consideradas mais velhas do que pacientes do sexo masculino. Queda no nível do solo, mortalidade e complicações foram observadas com mais frequência em pacientes com fraturas trocantéricas. Nível de evidência II, Estudo retrospectivo.

The Usefulness of Platelet Distribution Width and Platelet Distribution Width to Lymphocyte Ratio in Predicting Severity and Outcomes in Patients with Snakebite.

INTRODUCTION: Tissue damage, inflammatory response, and hematologic abnormalities may occur in snakebite envenomation. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive ability of platelet distribution width (PDW) and platelet distribution width to lymphocyte ratio (PDWLR) in the severity and outcome of envenomation in patients with snakebites in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: All adult patients admitted to the ED after a snakebite were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were classified according to the severity of envenomation. The relationship between the PDW and PDWLR and envenomation severity and patient outcomes was analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of severe envenomation. Results were presented as 95% CIs with odds ratios. Statistical significance was accepted at P<0.05. RESULTS: Envenomation was classified as none/minimal in 42 patients and moderate/severe in 29. PDW and PDWLR were significantly higher in the moderate/severe group (P=0.016 and P<0.001, respectively). Cut-off values of 16.5 for PDW and 6.15 for PDWLR were related to more severe envenomation (area under the curve 0.67, 95% CI 0.55-0.78 and area under the curve 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74-0.92, respectively). Blood product replacement, thrombocytopenia, hematologic abnormality, advanced local findings, compartment syndrome/fasciotomy, antivenom dosing, and moderate/severe envenomation were associated with PDWLR >6.15 (P<0.05). In multivariate analysis, PDWLR (odds ratio 1.19 [95% CI 1-1.4]; P=0.04) was an independent predictor of severe envenomation. CONCLUSIONS: Higher PDW and PDWLR were associated with severe envenomation in patients with snakebites in the ED. PDWLR may be used as a predictor of severe envenomation and adverse outcomes.