Risk factors of refracture after a fragility fracture in elderly.

The study examined the risk factors of recurrent fragility fractures in elderly. Female and older age increased the risk of refracture. Older age at the first fracture also resulted in shorter time to the second fracture. The prevention program should be emphasized. PURPOSE: The study examined the characteristics of the fragility fractures and refractures and the factors affecting the incidence and duration to the second fragility fracture. METHODS: The retrospective cohort study reviewed electronic medical records from Nan Provincial Public Health Office, Thailand. Patients aged ≥ 60 years with fragility fractures (hip, wrist, vertebra, and proximal humerus) from low-energy injuries between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2018 were included. The characteristics of the first and second fractures and the factors that had effect on refracture incidence and duration were investigated. RESULTS: Among 4322 patients, 306 patients (7%) had subsequent fragility fractures. Risk factors of refracture included female (adjusted odd ratio 1.79, 95%CI 1.304-2.467) and older age at the first fracture (adjusted odd ratio 1.016, 95%CI 1.003-1.029). Factor resulted in shorter time to second fracture was older age at the first fracture (ß-coefficient - 0.96, 95%CI - 1.4-(- 0.5)). Any type of the first fracture resulted in similar risk and duration to subsequent fracture. Half (48%) and two-third (65%) of the second fractures occurred within 3 and 4 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: Female and older age were risk factors of subsequent fragility fracture. Older age resulted in shorter time to the second fracture. Refracture prevention program should be initiated in patients with any type of first fragility fracture and should be continued for at least 3-4 years.

One-year mortality rate after fragility hip fractures and associated risk in Nan, Thailand.

OBJECTIVES: Fragility hip fracture is a common secondary complication of osteoporosis, which leads to significant morbidity and mortality. The incidence and prevalence of hip fractures have increased over recent decades. This study established an objective to determine the mortality rate and potential risk factors in fragility hip fracture patients. METHODS: Electronic medical records were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 1412 patients, aged 50 years and over, who sustained and received treatment for hip fractures between 2014 and 2018 were subsequently identified. Mortality rate data were retrieved from the official statistics registry for the provincial population. The mortality rates and potential risk factors for mortality were examined using Kaplan-Meier estimates and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: The overall 1-year mortality rate of fragility hip fracture patients was 19%. Compared with the age-matched population in Nan province, hip fractures increased the mortality rate by 6.21 times. Additionally, the mortality of hip fracture patients was significantly higher among those with age above 80 years, nonambulatory status before fracture and upon hospital discharge, end-stage renal disease, delirium, and pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who sustained hip fractures had approximately 6 times higher mortality. Effective strategies for hip fracture prevention as well as improvement in the standard of care are crucial steps towards reducing mortality in patients with hip fracture.

Extended Posterior Decompression and Instrumented Fusion for Spinal Tuberculosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical outcomes, including pain and neurologic status, and to evaluate radiographic outcomes of patients treated with extended posterior decompression, posterior fixation, and fusion in different vertebral segments. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The standard surgical treatment of spinal tuberculosis is radical debridement via anterior approach. However, this approach may lead to several serious complications. Meanwhile, extended posterior approach, the posterior surgical approach, involving the removal of posterior elements, ribs, and pedicles, is an alternative option that can achieve the aims of treatment in this disease and may reduce the serious complications from anterior approach. METHODS: The medical records and imaging of 50 patients admitted with spinal tuberculosis from January 2010 to June 2016 were reviewed. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Frankel grading scale, and kyphotic Cobb angle between the pre- and postoperative periods were used to evaluate the patients. RESULTS: The patients had significant improvement of VAS score in all the groups. The T/T-L, L, and L-S group scores improved from 7.2±1.5 to 1.7±1.2 (p<0.01), from 8.1±1.8 to 1.7±1.4 (p<0.01), and from 7.9±2.2 to 1.7±0.8 (p<0.01), respectively, and overall, the patient scores (n=50) improved from 7.8±1.4 to 1.7±1.3 (p<0.01). Ten patients (20%) had Frankel grade E preoperatively, which was improved to 38 patients (76%) postoperatively. A significant improvement of the kyphotic Cobb angle was observed when compared at the preoperative, early postoperative, and final follow-up period in the T/T-L, L, and L-S groups. The loss of correction angle in the LS group was 7.7°±4.3° at the final follow-up compared with the early postoperative correction angle at 9.1°±5.8°, with no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Extended posterior decompression, posterior instrumentation, and fusion are effective methods of surgery for treatment of spinal tuberculosis involved in the thoracic, thoracolumbar, lumbar, and lumbosacral regions.

Epidemiology of fragility hip fractures in Nan, Thailand.

OBJECTIVES: Hip fracture is the most serious consequence of falling in elderly with osteoporosis. Patients with hip fractures suffer functional deterioration and increased morbidity especially during the first year after fracture. Rapid increase in the proportion of the elderly increases the prevalence of hip fractures in Thailand, leading to major problem for public health. There is substantial variation in the incidence of hip fracture in different regions of Thailand. Demographic data are required to improve management and prevention. This study was aimed to describe the demographic data and to determine the incidence of fragility hip fractures in Nan, Thailand. METHODS: A retrospective, cohort study had been conducted in Nan and Pua hospital. Patients with hip fractures were sorted by International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (S72.0-S72.2) from September 1, 2014 to December 31, 2017. Statistical analyses were conducted using descriptive analysis and 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The incidence of hip fractures in Nan province in 2015-2017 were 211.6, 214.9 and 238.5 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. There were 876 patients in this study. Higher incidence was found in female (ratio, 2.5:1). About 87.2% of the fracture occurred inside the house. There were 5.9% who had refracture. The median for refracture time was 143 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of hip fractures in Nan province was classified as moderate severity and was increasing between 2015 and 2017. A coordinated, multidisciplinary approach in homecare management especially in fall prevention are important factors to reduce incidence of fragility hip fracture.