Influence of immigrant background on the outcome of total hip arthroplasty: better outcome in 280 native patients in Bosnia and Herzegovina than in 449 immigrants living in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Despite the overall success of THA, between 5 and 20% report unsatisfactory results. Several factors may cause this variable outcome. 1 of them might be ethnicity which, because of its potential social impact on living conditions, may influence quality of life too. It should be studied whether patients born and being operated in their home country Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) had similar results as immigrants being operated in Sweden (IS). METHODS: Data of 280 patients were collected prospectively from questionnaires in the BH group. Patients of the IS group were eligible if both of their parents were born outside the Nordic countries, not having Swedish as their native language. Data were gained from the Swedish Arthroplasty Registry (SAR), 449 patients were included. Outcomes were pain VAS, satisfaction VAS, EQ-VAS, and the EQ-5D. Logistic and linear regression models including age, sex, diagnosis, type of fixation, surgical incision, marital status and educational level were analysed to compare those 2 groups. RESULTS: There were considerable differences in patient demographics between the 2 groups. Before the operation, patients in the BH group reported more problems with self-care and usual activities, even after adjustment for confounding factors (p < 0.0005). Patients in the IS group reported a higher EQ-VAS and more pain VAS (p < 0.0005), the difference in the EQ-VAS was not significant after adjustment for confounding factors (p = 0.41). After 1 year patients in the BH group reported better scores in all dimensions of the EQ-5D (p ⩽ 0.005) apart from self-care. After adjustment for confounding factors, patients in the BH group were more satisfied too (p < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Immigrated patients (IS group) seemed to experience less benefit from THA 1 year after the operation despite more symptoms preoperatively. There were considerable limitations affecting the results. Nevertheless, the data are a point of concern, and it is suggested to take more multidimensional care of immigrant patients.

Secondary Prevention of Osteoporosis Through Assessment of Individual and Multiple Risk Factors.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is a chronic progressive bone disease where the bone tissue resorption exceeds its regenerative capacities. Such a process leads to the reduction of bone mineral density (BMD), and distortion of trabecular microarchitectonics, which creates the basis for an increased fracture risk on a "low trauma" for osteoporosis patients. The notion of low trauma implies a stressor that will not cause a fracture in a healthy person under normal circumstances. BMD is a strong predictor of future fractures. However, many fractures occur in persons with BMD values beyond the defined osteoporosis threshold, and BMD measurement only partially identifies the part of the population with increased fracture risk. Also, it is known that risk factors are influencing the bone mass reduction as predictors of future fractures, and their association may lead to an increased fracture risk irrespective of the bone mass and T-score. AIM: The 10-year individual risk assessment for osteoporotic fracture and the analysis of impact of individual and multiple osteoporosis risk factors on the degree of osteoporotic fracture risk. METHODS: The research is a retrospective-prospective study which analyzed 120 patients divided into two groups: 1) asymptomatic patients with known risk factors for osteoporosis in the age group of 40-65 (n=60), 2) asymptomatic patients with known risk factors for osteoporosis in the age group of 65-90 (n=60). FRAX® algorithm was used as a tool for the 10-year hip fracture risk assessment, with prior approval of the Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases, University of Sheffield from the United Kingdom. Fracture risk assessment was calculated using the online FRAX® calculator. High risk is defined as the hip fracture risk higher than 3% or the risk of a "big" osteoporotic fracture higher than 20%. Results are expressed as mean values with a standard deviation. A comparison between tested patient groups was made applying the student T-test. RESULTS: 32% of patients of average age of 65.8±12.6 years are under high hip fracture risk, 28% of patients are under the hip fracture risk higher than 3%, and the risk for 0.03% patients is higher than 20%. Patients with high fracture risk are of advanced age, female, with lower body weight and height values, lower bone mineral density (BMD) and T score values than patients who are not under a high fracture risk. A positive family anamnesis to osteoporosis and fractures, earlier fractures, smoking, rheumatoid arthritis, and use of glucocorticoids are risk factors that are more represented in patients with high fracture risk and osteoporosis. The impact of the majority of individual risk factors for osteoporosis and fracture is moderate, and their joint effect is significant. The contribution of individual risk factors to the overall 10-year fracture risk depends on the type, number and association of risk factors. CONCLUSION: This research is a contribution to the resolution of polemics among authors, i.e. a dilemma whether persons with multiple clinical risk factors for osteoporosis with T score values beyond the defined threshold for osteoporosis are candidates for therapy with bisphosphonates, and a dilemma whether persons without any clinical risk factors for osteoporosis with T score values within the defined osteoporosis threshold require therapy with bisphosphonates, or only monitoring is sufficient.

Ethnic differences in the perception of pain: a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative research.

Aim To investigate existence of scientific support for linking differences in the experience of pain to ethnicity. Methods The study was designed as a systematic literature review of qualitative and quantitative studies. The inclusion criteria were scientific studies published in scientific journals and written in English. Studies that described children's experiences and animals were excluded. There were 10 studies, one qualitative and nine quantitative. Results The result was divided into two main sections. The first section presents the results of investigated material regarding different ethnic groups, the groups' different experiences with regard to pain and its treatment focusing entirely on the patients' perspective. Several studies have revealed major differences in the way individuals perceive their pain, using various pain evaluation tools. The second section explained different coping strategies depending on ethnicity and showed that different ethnic groups handle their pain in different ways. Conclusion Healthcare professionals have a duty to pay attention to and understand the patients' experience of their disease and suffering and, as far as possible, mitigate this using appropriate measures. For this purpose, ethnic, cultural and religious differences between different patients need to be understood. It is necessary to continue to study ethnic differences in reporting and predicting pain and its consequences, including the assessment of variables associated with pain, as well as examining the use of prayer as a form of dealing with pain, with an evaluation of various effects of such different influences.

The effect of changing one's country of residence on the decision to become an organ donor: the experience of religious immigrant women living in Sweden.

Aim To explore and elucidate women's knowledge of and willingness to take part in organ donation, and to explore if their opinions were changed by coming to Sweden. Methods The study was designed as a qualitative study using data from interviews with women from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Croatia and Kosovo. The inclusion criteria were women who were immigrants in Sweden and have lived in Sweden for more than 10 years. Five groups including forty-five women were invited to participate in the study and 39 agreed. The women were aged 29 to 73 years (mean 52.5 years). Results Regarding knowledge and information about organ donation, most women found it very important to be able to talk about such things. However, the knowledge and information about organ donation of almost all the women was at a very low level. None of the women changed their opinion on the organ donation and attitudes from their countries of origin. All women firmly emphasized and explained that by coming to another state they do not become a different person and retain all values they had and with which were born in home country. Conclusion It is important to study how to find new ways to communicate and work with minorities and vulnerable groups in order to discuss organ donation with all those who could be potential donors in the Swedish health care system.

Experience of registered nurses in assessing postoperative pain in hip fracture patients with dementia.

Aim To explore the experience of registered nurses in assessing pain in hip fracture in patients with dementia in the postoperative setting. Methods The study questionnaire contained 23 items mainly addressing demographic and social data, information about communication and pain assessment, attention and awareness of the health-care professionals on the ward and suggestions for improving nursing. Results The nurses claimed that they began their assessment of pain in patients with dementia first by observing the patient and making a visual assessment of pain, after which they began to communicate with these patients; majority of dementia patients with hip fractures displayed more facial expressions of pain than patients without dementia. All the nurses agreed that the more severe the patient's dementia was, the less clear the facial expressions and that this in turn made it difficult for the nurses to take care of such patients. Body language was the most common way the patients with dementia and hip fractures expressed their pain. Assessing the pain of a dementia patient with hip fracture and interpreting a non-verbally communicative patient was experienced as very difficult by all the nurses. Conclusion The nurses found that the fact that they had not attended any courses on dementia and pain assessment in those patients made their work more difficult; they need to know more and to have more information about those patients and their needs for a more comprehensive exchange of information between the hospital wards and the patients' care homes.

Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation in Treatment of Intertrochanteric Hip Fractures: a Retrospective Study in 113 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: The best treatment for intertrochanteric fractures remains controversial. Many methods have been recommended. AIM: We aimed to assess the results of osteosynthesis using the Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation (PFNA) system. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 113 consecutive patients with intertrochanteric fractures treated with PFNA. Fractures were classified in accordance with the AO/OTA classification system into the groups A1, A2 and A3. The postoperative quality of fracture reduction was described as good, acceptable or poor. The location of the blade within the head was recorded as per the Cleveland method. Tip-apex distance (TAD) was used as a method for evaluating screw position. Pre-fracture and postoperative functional level were evaluated by the new mobility score (NMS). RESULTS: The average age at the time of surgery was 75.9 years. The majority, 75 (66.3 %), were unstable fracture types. The reduction was good in 67 (61.4 %) cases. Of the 24 deaths, 19 patients had comorbidities (p < 0.001). The number of deaths in the first 6 months was significantly higher than in the next 6 months (p = 0.001). The mean TAD was 25.6 mm. The Cleveland zone centre-centre was the most common placement of the blade, accounting for 33 (29 %) of the cases. Reoperation was required in four patients. There were four patients with cut-out. The pre-facture mean value NMS was 8.6 (SD 1.1) and the postoperative mean value was 4.3 (SD 3.6). CONCLUSION: We concluded that PFNA offers biomechanical advantages, but the best position of the blade is still unknown.

Proximal femoral nail antirotation in treatment of fractures of proximal femur.

INTRODUCTION: Fractures of the proximal femur and hip are relatively common injuries in adults and common source of morbidity and mortality among the elderly. Many methods have been recommended for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospective analyzed all the patients with fractures of the hip treated with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) at the Clinic of Orthopedic and Traumatology, University Clinical Centre Tuzla from the first of January 2012 to 31 December 2012 years. The study included 63 patients averaged 73.6 +/- 11.9 years (range, 29 to 88 years). Fracture type was classified as intertrochanteric (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen classification 31.A.1, A.2 and A.3) and subtrochanteric fractures (Seinsheimer classification). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The ratio between the genders female-male was 1.6:1. There was statistically significant difference prevalence of female compared to male patients (p = 0.012). There were 31 left and 32 right hip fractured. Low energy trauma was the cause of fractures in 57(90.5%) patients. Averaged waiting time for hospitalization was 3.2 +/- 7.5 days (range, 0 to 32 days). 44 patients were admitted the same day upon injuring. The average waiting time for the treatment was 3.6 +/- 5.7 days. The ratio between with or without co-existent disease was 4.7:1. During the three months postoperatively with ASA score 3 and 4 six patients died. There were no significant differences in deaths from ASA score 1 and 2 (p = 0.52). Reoperation for the treatment of implant or fracture-related complications was required in three (4.7%) patients (infection, reimplantation and extraction). Three patient developed deep vein thrombosis. Statistically significant difference was found in the deaths in the first three months compared to the next three months (p = 0.02). We found statistically significant difference between pre-injury and postoperative mobility score (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: PFNA is an excellent device for osteosynthesis as it can be easily inserted. Moreover, it provides stable fixation, which allows early full weightbearing mobilization of the patient.

Complications and functional recovery in treatment of femoral shaft fractures with unreamed intramedullary nailing.

INTRODUCTION: Fracture of the femoral shaft is a common fracture encountered in orthopedic practice. In the 1939, Küntscher introduced the concept of intramedullary nailing for stabilization of long bone fractures. Intramedullary nailing has revolutionized the treatment of fractures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 37 male patients and 13 female patients, averaged 39 +/- 20.5 years (range, 16 to 76 years). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: There were 31 left femurs and 21 right femurs fractured. 46 fractures were the result of blunt trauma. Low energy trauma was the cause of fractures in six patients, of which five in elderly females. 49 fractures were closed. Healing time given in weeks was 19.36 +/- 6.1. The overall healing rate was 93.6%. There were three (6.25%) major complications nonunion. There were one (2%) delayed union, one (2%) rotational malunion and no infection. The shortening of 1 cm were in two patients. Antercurvatum of 10 degrees was found in one patient. There was no statistically significant reduction of a motion in the hip and knee (p < 0.05). There was statistically significant in the thigh (knee extensors) muscle weakness (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: : Intramedullary nailing is the treatment of choice for femoral shaft fractures.

Proximal femoral nail antirotation in treatment of fractures of proximal femur.

INTRODUCTION: Fractures of the proximal femur and hip are relatively common injuries in adults and common source of morbidity and mortality among the elderly. Many methods have been recommended for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospective analyzed all the patients with fractures of the hip treated with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) at the Clinic of Orthopedic and Traumatology, University Clinical Centre Tuzla from the first of January 2012 to 31 December 2012 years. The study included 63 patients averaged 73.6±11.9 years (range, 29 to 88 years). Fracture type was classified as intertrochanteric (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen classification 31.A.1, A.2 and A.3) and subtrochanteric fractures (Seinsheimer classification). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The ratio between the genders female-male was 1.6:1. There was statistically significant difference prevalence of female compared to male patients (p=0.012). There were 31 left and 32 right hip fractured. Low energy trauma was the cause of fractures in 57(90.5%) patients. Averaged waiting time for hospitalization was 3.2±7.5 days (range, 0 to 32 days). 44 patients were admitted the same day upon injuring. The average waiting time for the treatment was 3.6±5.7 days. The ratio between with or without co-existent disease was 4.7:1. During the three months postoperatively with ASA score 3 and 4 six patients died. There were no significant differences in deaths from ASA score 1 and 2 (p=0.52). Reoperation for the treatment of implant or fracture-related complications was required in three (4.7%) patients (infection, reimplantation and extraction). Three patient developed deep vein thrombosis. Statistically significant difference was found in the deaths in the first three months compared to the next three months (p=0.02). We found statistically significant difference between pre-injury and postoperative mobility score (p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: PFNA is an excellent device for osteosynthesis as it can be easily inserted. Moreover, it provides stable fixation, which allows early full weightbearing mobilization of the patient.