Effect of intravenous iron on functional outcomes in hip fracture: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: to determine the safety and effect of intravenous iron sucrose on functional outcomes, delirium, nosocomial infections and transfusion requirements in older patients with hip fracture. DESIGN: single-centre randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: orthogeriatric share care service at an academic tertiary care hospital. A total of 253 patients were recruited: 126 patients were assigned to intravenous iron and 127 to placebo. METHODS: on days 1, 3 and 5 after admission, the iron group received 200 mg Venofer® (iron sucrose) in 100 ml saline and the placebo group 100 ml saline. The primary outcome was absolute functional gain, considered as Barthel index (BI) at discharge minus BI on admission. Secondary outcomes included incidence of postoperative delirium according to the confusion assessment method, proportion of patients recovering prior functional status at 3 months, postoperative transfusion requirements, haemoglobin at 3 months, incidence of nosocomial infections and safety. RESULTS: the median participant age was 87 (interquartile range, 82.5-91.5) years. Most patients were female (72.7%), and the median previous BI was 81(59-95). No significant effect of intravenous iron was observed for the primary outcome: the median AFG score was 17.1 points (4.8-23.3) in the intravenous iron group and 16 points (6-26) in the placebo group (P = 0.369). No significant treatment effects were observed for other functional outcomes or secondary end points. CONCLUSION: while we found no impact of intravenous iron sucrose on functional recovery, incidence of postoperative delirium, transfusion requirements, haemoglobin at 3 months, mortality and nosocomial infections rates in older patients with hip fracture, we did find that the intervention was safe.

Evaluación de las complicaciones clínicas de los pacientes con fractura de cadera y sus factores asociados en una Unidad de Agudos de Ortogeriatría / Assessment of clinical complications and their associated factors in hip-fracture patients in an Acute Geriatric Orthopaedic Unit

Introducción. Las complicaciones clínicas en pacientes con fractura de cadera (FC) son elevadas y variables por su heterogéneo registro. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar las complicaciones clínicas y sus factores asociados en pacientes con FC ingresados en la Unidad de Ortogeriatría de un hospital universitario de 283 camas que atiende un promedio de 200 FC/año. Material y métodos. Se incluyó a 383 pacientes ingresados consecutivamente en 2013 y en 2014 en un estudio analítico observacional prospectivo. Las complicaciones clínicas se definieron según recomendaciones avaladas por la AOTrauma Network (Red de Trabajo de la Asociación Internacional de Traumatólogos para el estudio de la osteosíntesis). Resultados. Doscientos setenta y tres pacientes (71,28%) presentaron alguna complicación. Las principales fueron el delirium (55,4%), la insuficiencia renal (15,4%) y las complicaciones cardiacas (12,3%). Se asociaron a la presencia de alguna complicación la clasificación ASA III-IV (OR=1,962; IC del 95%, 1,040-3,704; p = 0,038), un índice de Barthel al alta inferior (b = -3,572;IC del 95%, -0,866 a -0,104; p = 0,01), el incremento en la estancia media (b = 2,683; IC del 95%, 3,522-0,325; p < 0,001) y preoperatoria (OR = 1,165; IC del 95%, 1,050-1,294; p = 0,004). Conclusiones. Las complicaciones clínicas más frecuentes son el delirium, la insuficiencia renal y las complicaciones cardiacas. Una puntuación en la escala de ASA III-IV, una peor situación funcional al alta, así como una estancia preoperatoria y media prolongada, son factores asociados a la presencia de alguna complicación clínica. Las complicaciones cardiacas, pulmonares y digestivas son las principales causas de mortalidad en la unidad

Introduction. The incidence of clinical complications in hip fracture (HF) patients is high and variable due to their heterogeneous nature. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical complications and their associated factors in HF patients admitted to the Orthopaedic Geriatric Unit of a 283 bed University Hospital. An average of 200 HF patients is attended yearly. Material and methods. A prospective, observational and analytical study was conducted on 383 consecutive patients admitted to the unit during the years 2013 and 2014. Clinical complications were defined according to recommendations supported by the AOTrauma Network (International Network of Traumatologists for the Study of Osteosynthesis). Results. A total of 273 patients (71.28%) showed some clinical complication. The main ones were, delirium (55.4%), renal failure (15.4%), and cardiac complications (12.3%). An ASA III-IV score of OR = 1.962 (95% CI; 1.040-3.704, P=.038), lower Barthel index at discharge (b = -3.572, 95% CI -0.866 to -0.104, P=.01), the increase in pre-operative stay (OR = 1.165, 95% CI 1.050-1.294, P=.004) and an increased length of stay (b = 2.663, 95% CI 3.522-0.325; P<.001) were factors associated with clinical complications. Conclusions. Delirium, renal failure, and cardiac complications were the most frequent complications according the new recommendations. An ASA III-IV score, worse functional status at discharge, prolonged pre-operative period, and increased length of stay, were risk factors associated with clinical complications. Cardiac, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal complications were the main causes of mortality in the unit

[Assessment of clinical complications and their associated factors in hip-fracture patients in an Acute Geriatric Orthopaedic Unit]. / Evaluación de las complicaciones clínicas de los pacientes con fractura de cadera y sus factores asociados en una Unidad de Agudos de Ortogeriatría.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of clinical complications in hip fracture (HF) patients is high and variable due to their heterogeneous nature. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical complications and their associated factors in HF patients admitted to the Orthopaedic Geriatric Unit of a 283 bed University Hospital. An average of 200 HF patients is attended yearly. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective, observational and analytical study was conducted on 383 consecutive patients admitted to the unit during the years 2013 and 2014. Clinical complications were defined according to recommendations supported by the AOTrauma Network (International Network of Traumatologists for the Study of Osteosynthesis). RESULTS: A total of 273 patients (71.28%) showed some clinical complication. The main ones were, delirium (55.4%), renal failure (15.4%), and cardiac complications (12.3%). An ASA III-IV score of OR = 1.962 (95% CI; 1.040-3.704, P=.038), lower Barthel index at discharge (b = -3.572, 95% CI -0.866 to -0.104, P=.01), the increase in pre-operative stay (OR = 1.165, 95% CI 1.050-1.294, P=.004) and an increased length of stay (b = 2.663, 95% CI 3.522-0.325; P<.001) were factors associated with clinical complications. CONCLUSIONS: Delirium, renal failure, and cardiac complications were the most frequent complications according the new recommendations. An ASA III-IV score, worse functional status at discharge, prolonged pre-operative period, and increased length of stay, were risk factors associated with clinical complications. Cardiac, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal complications were the main causes of mortality in the unit.