ABSTRACT
Background Elbows are one of the most frequently dislocated large joints; however, there is limited epidemiological data, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study characterizes elbow dislocations presenting to Emergency Departments (EDs) over the last decade. Methods This study is a cross-sectional, descriptive, epidemiologic analysis of isolated elbow dislocations presenting to EDs from 2011-2020 using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database. Patients under 10, those with radial head subluxation, and those with complex fractures were excluded. Data on incidence ratios, patient demographics, mechanisms of injury, and incident locales were analyzed. Results Approximately 83,996 simple, primary elbow dislocations occurred from 2011-2020 (n=2,328), generating an incidence of 2.98/100,000 person-years. Incidence was higher among males (3.26 versus 2.69/100,000 person-years). Dislocations peaked in patients aged 10-19, with higher rates in males (11.12 versus 5.31/100,000 person-years; injury rate ratio 2.09, CI=2.05-2.14, p<0.001). Rates of elbow dislocations decreased with age in males (age 20-29=11.12, age >80=0.63/100,000) but increased in females over 40 (age 40-49=1.59, age 70-79=2.83/100,000). Athletic activities accounted for 55% of dislocations (n=45,902), with 15% from football and 14% from wrestling. The fewest annual dislocations occurred during COVID-19 (n=6440). Injuries occurring at schools and during contact and indoor sports decreased, while those from soccer increased. Conclusions Elbow dislocations are common, with trends of decreasing incidence with age among men and increasing incidence in women over 40. COVID-19 impacted sports-related and epidemiologic injury patterns. Ultimately, understanding population-level risks for elbow dislocations enables orthopaedic surgeons to predict injury trends and conceive educational preventative measures.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are commonly caused by group A Streptococcus (GAS). Rapid molecular assays for detecting GAS in wounds would help with clinical management. This study assessed a point-of-care system for the detection of GAS in non-severe SSTIs in a Native American community in the Southwest. METHODS: Patients presenting with a new non-severe SSTI were eligible if a swab was collected. The swab was tested by traditional culture methods and using the cobas® Liat® point-of-care (POC) system and results were compared. RESULTS: 399 samples were included. The final result from the POC assay was positive for 52.0% of samples. Compared to culture, the POC assay had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 99.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The cobas® Liat® system accurately and efficiently identified GAS in non-severe SSTIs. Having a POC test available to rapidly identify or rule out GAS could help to minimize overuse of antibiotics.