Characteristics and outcomes of paediatric patients admitted to a Danish level-1 trauma centre.

INTRODUCTION: This study sought to expand the very limited data on Scandinavian paediatric poly-trauma patients by charactering patients from this population admitted to a Danish level-1 trauma centre. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all patients 15 years or younger who were admitted to the trauma centre at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark from January 2000 to May 2014. Injury severity was calculated using the Injury Severity Score (ISS). The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to determine significant differences between sexes. RESULTS: A total of 880 children (499 boys and 391 girls) were included. No significant sex-related differences were observed in the numbers admitted during the study period, age at admission or severity of injuries. Overall, 30% of the paediatric patients were admitted in the afternoon (3-6 p.m.). The crude death rate was 2.7% of all admissions. Traffic accidents accounted for 48% of all admissions and two-thirds of all deaths. All non-survivors received ISSs of 16 or higher, and 20% of deaths in this group and 42% of overall deaths occurred within the first 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that in Denmark, children admitted to a trauma centre are most likely to have been injured in traffic accidents and/or in the afternoon. Deaths were few and limited to the severely injured children; many survived despite severe injuries. FUNDING: none. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

The Copenhagen Sarcopenia Study: lean mass, strength, power, and physical function in a Danish cohort aged 20-93 years.

BACKGROUND: Despite no international consensus on the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia, low lean mass, muscle strength, and physical function are important risk factors for disability, frailty, and mortality in older individuals, as well as in a wide range of patients with muscle loss. Here, we provide a population-based reference material of total and regional lean body mass, muscle strength/power parameters, and physical function in a healthy cohort of Danish men and women across the lifespan. METHODS: Volunteers aged 20-93 years from the Copenhagen City Heart Study were invited to establish a Danish reference material (Copenhagen Sarcopenia Study) on lean mass characteristics [appendicular lean mass (ALM), iDXA, GE Lunar], muscle function [handgrip strength (HGS), Jamar dynamometer and leg extension power (LEP), Nottingham Power Rig], and physical function [30 s sit-to-stand test (STS), 10-m maximal and habitual gait speed (GS)]. RESULTS: A total of 1305 participants [729 women (age: 56.4 ± 18.9 years, height: 1.66 ± 0.01 m, body mass index: 24.6 ± 4.3 kg/m2 and 576 men, age: 57.0 ± 17.5 years, height: 1.80 ± 0.07 m, body mass index: 26.0 ± 3.9 kg/m2 ] completed all measurements and were included in the present analysis. Lean mass characteristics (TLM, ALM, and ALM/h2 ) decreased with increasing age in both men and women (P < 0.001). Men demonstrated larger absolute and relative total ALM and higher HGS and LEP compared with women at all age intervals (P < 0.001). HGS and LEP decreased progressively with age in both men and women (P < 0.01); 30 s STS performance, habitual GS, and maximal GS decreased at an accellerated rate of decline with increasing age in both men and women (P < 0.001). Habitual GS was reduced in men and women aged ≥70 years, while maximal GS was reduced from the age of ≥60 years compared with young adults (P < 0.001). Regardless of sex, 30 s STS was reduced from the age of ≥50 years compared with the young reference group (P < 0.001) CONCLUSIONS: While the power-based measurements (LEP and 30 s STS) started to decline already at age +50 years, less power-based parameters (GS and HGS) and lean mass characteristics (TLM, ALM, and ALM/h2 ) remained unaltered until after the age of +70 years. Notably, the cut-off thresholds derived in the present study differed from earlier reference data, which underlines the importance of obtaining updated and local reference materials.