Hip fractures in institutionalized elderly people: incidence rates and excess mortality

Excess mortality of 1 year in elderly hip fracture patients compared with the general population in Beijing, China

In a rapidly aging population, hip fractures have become an important public health issue in China. Presently, there is no study on the excess mortality of hip fractures in the mainland of China. This is the first study that presents excess mortality following hip fracture in Beijing, China.

PURPOSE

This study aims to assess the incidence and excess mortality of hip fracture patients aged 60 years or older from a municipal population database of Beijing.

METHODS

We retrieved the Beijing municipal health insurance database of 2013 to identify beneficiaries who were at least 60 years older as total population of this age group and obtained the number of mortalities in a year. Among those people, subjects who have suffered hip fractures during the year were selected and a determination of the number of deaths in this period. Annual incidence of hip fracture, mortality, and excess mortalities was calculated and stratified by gender and age.

RESULTS

During 2013, the annual incidence of elderly hip fracture in Beijing was 0.27 % and 1-year mortality was 23.44 %. Excess mortality odds ratios of males and females in three age groups were as follows: males, 2.23 (60-69 years old, 95% CI, 1.43-3.49), 2.99 (70-79 years old, 95% CI, 2.57-3.50), and 1.90 (≥80 years old, 95% CI, 1.64-2.22 ) and females, 3.12 (60-69 years old, 95% CI, 2.04-4.79), 1.93 (70-79 years old, 95% CI, 1.64-2.27), and 1.36 (≥80 years old, 95% CI, 1.21-1.55). Pulmonary complications were the leading cause of death, which accounts for 52.27 % of all.

CONCLUSION

Compared with the control population, hip fractures caused approximately twofold excess mortality rate during 1 year 2014 for elderly citizens in Beijing. Future studies are needed to explore the actual mechanism to design the most effective strategies for optimizing recovery from hip fracture.

Understanding Mortality of Femoral Fractures Following Low-Impact Trauma in Persons With and Without Care Need

OBJECTIVES

Persons with osteoporotic fracture history are subject to an increased risk for subsequent fractures and mortality. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the impact of a previous osteoporotic low-impact (fragility) index fracture (eg, forearm, lower leg) on mortality of a subsequent femoral fracture.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS/MEASUREMENTS

Claims data of a German health insurance agency including >1.2 million insurants aged 65 years or older and observed between 2004 and 2009.

METHODS

A multistate model was developed handling index fractures and care need as time-dependent exposures, while age was chosen as the underlying time scale. Excess risks were expressed as differences in cause-specific hazards. Nelson-Aalen estimates were used for their nonparametric estimation. Time-simultaneous statistical inference was based on confidence bands provided by wild bootstrap resampling.

RESULTS

Excess femoral fracture risk increased with progressive age and was highest in persons with care need. It was observed starting from an age of 79 years in women and 85 years in men onward. A prior index fracture increased mortality after a femoral fracture by increasing femoral fracture risk, while leaving the hazard of death after a subsequent femoral fracture unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that increased mortality of a subsequent femoral fracture is not triggered by an intrinsically increased mortality hazard but an increased femoral fracture incidence.

Fall risk as a function of time after admission to sub-acute geriatric hospital units

BACKGROUND

There is evidence about time-dependent fracture rates in different settings and situations. Lacking are data about underlying time-dependent fall risk patterns. The objective of the study was to analyse fall rates as a function of time after admission to sub-acute hospital units and to evaluate the time-dependent impact of clinical factors at baseline on fall risk.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used data of 5,255 patients admitted to sub-acute units in a geriatric rehabilitation clinic in Germany between 2010 and 2014. Falls, personal characteristics and functional status at admission were extracted from the hospital information system. The rehabilitation stay was divided in 3-day time-intervals. The fall rate was calculated for each time-interval in all patients combined and in subgroups of patients. To analyse the influence of covariates on fall risk over time multivariate negative binomial regression models were applied for each of 5 time-intervals.

RESULTS

The overall fall rate was 10.2 falls/1,000 person-days with highest fall risks during the first week and decreasing risks within the following weeks. A particularly pronounced risk pattern with high fall risks during the first days and decreasing risks thereafter was observed in men, disoriented people, and people with a low functional status or impaired cognition. In disoriented patients, for example, the fall rate decreased from 24.6 falls/1,000 person-days in day 2-4 to about 13 falls/1,000 person-days 2 weeks later. The incidence rate ratio of baseline characteristics changed also over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Fall risk differs considerably over time during sub-acute hospitalisation. The strongest association between time and fall risk was observed in functionally limited patients with high risks during the first days after admission and declining risks thereafter. This should be considered in the planning and application of fall prevention measures.

Incidence of Hip Fracture in U.S. Nursing Homes

BACKGROUND

Hip fractures are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the nursing home. Our objective was to describe the incidence rate (IR) of hip fracture according to age, sex, and race in a nationwide sample of long-stay nursing home residents.

METHODS

Using 2007-2010 Medicare claims data linked with the Minimum Data Set, we identified 892,837 long-stay residents (≥100 days in the same nursing facility) between May 1, 2007 and April 30, 2008. Hip fractures were defined using Part A diagnostic codes (ICD-9). Residents were followed from the date they became a long-stay resident until the first event of death, discharge, hip fracture, or 2 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

Mean age was 84 years (range 65-113 years), and 74.5% were women. 83.9% were white and 12.0% were black. The overall IR of hip fracture was 2.3/100 person years. The IR was similar in men and women across age groups. The IR of hip fracture was highest in Native Americans aged 85 years or older (3.7/100 person years), in whites (2.6/100 person years), and during the first 100 days of institutionalization (2.7/100 person years). IRs of hip fracture were lowest in blacks (1.3/100 person years).

CONCLUSIONS

In nursing home residents surviving 100 days or more in a facility, the incidence of hip fracture is high, particularly among older white, Native American, and newly admitted residents. This is the first nationwide study to provide sex- and age-specific estimates among U.S. nursing home residents, and it underscores the magnitude of the problem.

Comparative trends in incident fracture rates for all long-term care and community-dwelling seniors in Ontario, Canada, 2002-2012

SUMMARY

In this population-based study, we compared incident fracture rates in long-term care (LTC) versus community seniors between 2002 and 2012. Hip fracture rates declined more rapidly in LTC than in the community. An excess burden of fractures occurred in LTC for hip, pelvis, and humerus fractures in men and hip fractures only in women.

INTRODUCTION

This study compares trends in incident fracture rates between long-term care (LTC) and community-dwelling seniors ≥65 years, 2002-2012.

METHODS

This is a population-based cohort study using administrative data. Measurements were age/sex-adjusted incident fracture rates and rate ratios (RR) and annual percent change (APC).

RESULTS

Over 11 years, hip fracture rates had a marked decline occurring more rapidly in LTC (APC, -3.49 (95% confidence interval (CI), -3.97, -3.01)) compared with the community (APC, -2.93 (95% CI, -3.28, -2.57); p < 0.05 for difference in slopes). Humerus and wrist fracture rates decreased; however, an opposite trend occurred for pelvis and spine fractures with rates increasing over time in both cohorts (all APCs, p < 0.05). In 2012, incident hip fracture rates were higher in LTC than the community (RRs: women, 1.55 (95% CI, 1.45, 1.67); men, 2.18 (95% CI, 1.93, 2.47)). Higher rates of pelvis (RR, 1.48 (95% CI, 1.22, 1.80)) and humerus (RR, 1.40 (95% CI, 1.07, 1.84)) fractures were observed in LTC men, not women. In women, wrist (RR, 0.76 (95% CI, 0.71, 0.81)) and spine (RR, 0.52 (95% CI, 0.45, 0.61)) fracture rates were lower in LTC than the community; in men, spine (RR, 0.75 (95% CI, 0.57, 0.98) but not wrist fracture (RR, 0.91 (95% CI, 0.67, 1.23)) rates were significantly lower in LTC than the community.

CONCLUSION

Previous studies in the community have shown declining hip fracture rates over time, also demonstrated in our study but at a more rapid rate in LTC. Rates of humerus and wrist fractures also declined. An excess burden of fractures in LTC occurred for hip fractures in women and for hip, pelvis, and humerus fractures in men.

The Epidemiology of Hip and Major Osteoporotic Fractures in a Dutch Population of Community-Dwelling Elderly: Implications for the Dutch FRAX® Algorithm

Background

Incidence rates of non-hip major osteoporotic fractures (MOF) remain poorly characterized in the Netherlands. The Dutch FRAX® algorithm, which predicts 10-year probabilities of hip fracture and MOF (first of hip, humerus, forearm, clinical vertebral), therefore incorporates imputed MOF rates. Swedish incidence rate ratios for hip fracture to MOF (Malmo 1987–1996) were used to perform this imputation. However, equality of these ratios between countries is uncertain and recent evidence is scarce. Aims were to estimate incidence rates of hip fracture and MOF and to compare observed MOF rates to those predicted by the imputation method for the Netherlands.

Methods

Using hospitalisation and general practitioner records from the Dutch PHARMO Database Network (2002–2011) we calculated age-and-sex-specific and age-standardized incidence rates (IRs) of hip and other MOFs (humerus, forearm, clinical vertebral) and as used in FRAX®. Observed MOF rates were compared to those predicted among community-dwelling individuals ≥50 years by the standardized incidence ratio (SIR; 95% CI).

Results

Age-standardized IRs (per 10,000 person-years) of MOF among men and women ≥50 years were 25.9 and 77.0, respectively. These numbers were 9.3 and 24.0 for hip fracture. Among women 55–84 years, observed MOF rates were significantly higher than predicted (SIR ranged between 1.12–1.50, depending on age). In men, the imputation method performed reasonable.

Conclusion

Observed MOF incidence was higher than predicted for community-dwelling women over a wide age-range, while it agreed reasonable for men. As miscalibration may influence treatment decisions, there is a need for confirmation of results in another data source. Until then, the Dutch FRAX® output should be interpreted with caution.

Risk of hip fracture among older people using antihypertensive drugs: a nationwide cohort study

Background

Many people with a high risk of hip fracture have coexisting cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to examine associations between exposure to antihypertensive drugs and the risk of hip fracture among older people.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study of the 906,422 people born before 1945 and living in Norway in 2005. We obtained information on all prescriptions of antihypertensive drugs dispensed (the Norwegian Prescription Database) in 2004–2010 and the dates of primary hip fractures (the Norwegian Hip Fracture Registry) in 2005–2010. We compared the incidence rates of hip fracture during the time people were exposed and unexposed to antihypertensive drugs by calculating the standardized incidence ratio (SIR).

Results

Altogether, 39,938 people experienced a primary hip fracture (4.4 %). The risk of hip fracture was decreased among people exposed to thiazides (SIR 0.7, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.6–0.7), beta-blockers (SIR 0.7, 95 % CI 0.7–0.8), calcium channel blockers (SIR 0.8, 95 % CI 0.8–0.8), angiotensin II receptor blockers (SIR 0.8, 95 % CI 0.7–0.8), ACE inhibitor/thiazide combination products (SIR 0.7, 95 % CI 0.6–0.7) and angiotensin II receptor blocker/thiazide combination products (SIR 0.6, 95 % CI 0.6–0.6). Use of loop diuretics and ACE inhibitors (plain products) was associated with increased fracture risk in people born after 1924, and with decreased risk in those born before 1925. The protective associations were stronger among exposed men than among exposed women for all drugs except loop diuretics. The SIRs decreased with increasing age among exposed people, except for thiazides and angiotensin II receptor blockers.

Conclusions

We found a reduced risk of hip fracture associated with overall use of most antihypertensive drugs, but an increased risk with loop diuretics and ACE inhibitors among people younger than 80 years and in new users of loop diuretics. This may have great impact at the population level, because the use of antihypertensive drugs is widespread in people at risk of hip fracture. Clinical studies are needed to further explore these associations.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12877-015-0154-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Nursing Home Registered Nurses' and Licensed Practical Nurses' Knowledge of Causes of Falls

Reducing falls in nursing homes requires a knowledgeable nursing workforce. To test knowledge, 8 validated vignettes representing multifactorial fall causes were administered to 47 nurses from 3 nursing homes. Although licensed practical nurses scored higher than registered nurses in individual categories of falls, when we computed the average score of all 8 categories between groups of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, registered nurses scored higher (F = 4.106; P < .05) in identifying 8 causal reasons for older adults to fall.

The Falls In Care Home study: a feasibility randomized controlled trial of the use of a risk assessment and decision support tool to prevent falls in care homes

Objective:

To explore the feasibility of implementing and evaluating the Guide to Action Care Home fall prevention intervention.

Design:

Two-centre, cluster feasibility randomized controlled trial and process evaluation.

Setting:

Purposive sample of six diverse old age/learning disability, long stay care homes in Nottinghamshire, UK.

Subjects:

Residents aged over 50 years, who had fallen at least once in the past year, not bed-bound, hoist-dependent or terminally ill.

Interventions:

Intervention homes (n = 3) received Guide to Action Care Home fall prevention intervention training and support. Control homes (n = 3) received usual care.

Outcomes:

Recruitment, attrition, baseline and six-month outcome completion, contamination and intervention fidelity, compliance, tolerability, acceptance and impact.

Results:

A total of 81 of 145 (56%) care homes expressed participatory interest. Six of 22 letter respondent homes (27%) participated. The expected resident recruitment target was achieved by 76% (52/68). Ten (19%) residents did not complete follow-up (seven died, three moved). In intervention homes 36/114 (32%) staff attended training. Two of three (75%) care homes received protocol compliant training. Staff valued the training, but advised greater management involvement to improve intervention implementation. Fall risks were assessed, actioned and recorded in care records. Of 115 recorded falls, 533/570 (93%) of details were complete. Six-month resident fall rates were 1.9 and 4.0 per year for intervention and control homes, respectively.

Conclusions:

The Guide to Action Care Home is implementable under trial conditions. Recruitment and follow-up rates indicate that a definitive trial can be completed. Falls (primary outcome) can be ascertained reliably from care records.

Admission From Nursing Home Residence Increases Acute Mortality After Hip Fractures

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the effect of preinjury residence on inpatient mortality following hip fracture. This study addressed whether (1) admission from a nursing home residence and (2) admission from another hospital were associated with higher inpatient mortality after a hip fracture.

METHODS

Using the National Hospital Discharge Survey database, we analyzed an estimated 2 124 388 hip fractures discharges, from 2001 to 2007. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify whether admission from a nursing home and admission from another hospital were independent risk factors for inpatient mortality. Our primary null hypothesis is that there is no difference in inpatient mortality rates after hip fracture in patients admitted from a nursing home, compared to other forms of admission. The secondary null hypothesis is that there is no difference in inpatient mortality after hip fracture in patients whose source of admission was another hospital, compared to other sources of admission.

RESULTS

Almost 4% of the patients were admitted from a nursing home and 6% from another hospital. The mean age was 79 years and 71% were women. The majority of patients were treated with internal fixation. Admission from a nursing home residence (odds ratio [OR] of 2.1, confidence interval [CI] 1.9-2.3) and prior hospital stay (OR 3.4, CI 3.2-3.7) were associated with a higher risk of inpatient mortality after accounting for other comorbidities and type of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients transferred to an acute care hospital from a long-term care facility or another acute care hospital are at particularly high risk of inpatient death. This subset of patients should be considered separately from patients admitted from other sources.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic level II.

Outcomes after fixation for undisplaced femoral neck fracture compared to hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fracture among the elderly

BACKGROUND

This study compared the rates of mortality, medical complication, and reoperation after fixation surgery for displaced femoral neck fracture with those after hemiarthroplasty surgery for undisplaced femoral neck fracture using competing risk analysis in inpatients aged 60 years and above from a population database in Taiwan.

METHODS

We identified 13,772 subjects who underwent fixation for undisplaced cervical fracture and 13,772 matched controls who underwent hemiarthroplasty for displaced cervical fracture from 1998 to 2007, and followed them up until the end of 2009. The outcomes of patients who received internal fixation for undisplaced fracture and those of patients who received hemiarthroplasty for displaced fracture were compared.

RESULTS

The 3-month, 2-year, and 10-year mortality rates were 4.9%, 22.1%, and 67.1% for fixation, and 5.6%, 23.8%, and 71.0% for hemiarthroplasty, respectively. The 3-month, 2-year, and 10-year cumulative incidence rates of the first reoperation were 7.4%, 18.1%, and 27.7% for fixation and 6.3%, 12.0%, and 22.3% for hemiarthroplasty, respectively. The 3-month cumulative incidence rates of the first medical complication were 14.4% for fixation and 15.4% for hemiarthroplasty, respectively. Hemiarthroplasty had a 1.09 times (95% CI: 1.05-1.12) higher hazard ratio for overall death than fixation. However, fixation had a 1.36 times (95% CI: 1.29-1.43) higher subdistribution hazard ratio for first reoperation than hemiarthroplasty after adjusting for gender, age, and comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

The short-term overall mortality and medical complication rate of fixation for undisplaced fracture were slightly lower than those of hemiarthroplasty for displaced fracture. However, the short-term cumulative incidence of first reoperation after fixation was significantly higher than that for hemiarthroplasty. Further prospective studies or clinical trials based on the competing risk model, and which include important risk factors, are necessary to quantify the adjusted effects more precisely.

Cost-effectiveness of a multifactorial fracture prevention program for elderly people admitted to nursing homes

BACKGROUND

Fractures are one of the most costly consequences of falls in elderly patients in nursing homes.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the cost-effectiveness of a 'multifactorial fracture prevention program' provided by a multidisciplinary team with 'no prevention' in newly admitted nursing home residents.

METHODS

We performed a cost-utility analysis using a Markov-based simulation model to establish the effectiveness of a multifaceted fall prevention program from the perspective of statutory health insurance (SHI) and long-term care insurance (LCI). The rate of falls was used to estimate the clinical and economic consequences resulting from hip and upper limb fractures. Robustness of the results was assessed using deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS

Compared to no prevention a multifactorial prevention program for nursing home residents resulted in a cost-effectiveness ratio of 21,353 euro per quality-adjusted life-year. The total costs for SHI/LCI would result in 1.7 euro million per year. Results proved to be robust following deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSION

Multifactorial fracture prevention appears to be cost-effective in preventing fractures in nursing home residents. Since the results were based on the number of falls further research is required to confirm the results.

Characteristics and effectiveness of fall prevention programs in nursing homes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

To determine characteristics and effectiveness of prevention programs on fall-related outcomes in a defined setting.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

SETTING

A clearly described subgroup of nursing homes defined as residential facilities that provide 24-hour-a-day surveillance, personal care, and limited clinical care for persons who are typically elderly and infirm.

PARTICIPANTS

Nursing home residents (N = 22,915).

MEASUREMENTS

The primary outcomes were number of falls, fallers, and recurrent fallers.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Six fall prevention programs were single (one intervention component provided to the residents), one was multiple (two or more intervention components not customized to individual fall risk), and six were multifactorial (two or more intervention components customized to each resident's fall risk). Meta-analysis found significantly fewer recurrent fallers in the intervention groups (4 studies, relative risk (RR) = 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.65-0.97) but no significant effect of the intervention on fallers (6 studies, RR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.84-1.11) or falls (10 studies, RR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.76-1.13). Multifactorial interventions significantly reduced falls (4 studies, RR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.55-0.82) and the number of recurrent fallers (4 studies, RR = 0.79, CI = 0.65-0.97), whereas single or multiple interventions did not. Training and education showed a significant harmful effect in the intervention groups on the number of falls (2 studies, RR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.23-1.36).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis failed to reveal a significant effect of fall prevention interventions on falls or fallers but, for the first time, showed that fall prevention interventions significantly reduced the number of recurrent fallers by 21%.

Feasibility of whole-body vibration training in nursing home residents with low physical function: a pilot study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Whole-body vibration (WBV) training may offer an efficient option to improve physical performance of nursing home residents, but the feasibility of WBV training among frail elderly who require continuous institutional care is still open.

METHODS

Fifteen nursing home residents (mean age 84 years) with low physical performance (mean SPPB score 3.7) participated in this blinded, randomized controlled pilot trial. The intervention was either a 10 week, twice-a-week progressive vibration training with slight exercises done on a side-alternating device or similar sham training without vibration. Physical performance was assessed with Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Timed Up and Go, walk speed and grip strength tests.

RESULTS

Low 12 Hz frequency was well tolerated with mean 95 % compliance in contrast to higher 18 Hz (or 26 Hz) frequency, which was poorly (<30 %) tolerated. While treatment effects were not significant, the mean change in SPPB score was 0.4 (range from -2 to +4) in the WBV group in contrast to -0.1 (from -3 to +3) in the sham group.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Frail nursing home residents form not only a potential but also challenging target group for physical rehabilitation with WBV. Side-alternating WBV training performed at low 12 Hz frequency was found generally feasible, whereas higher frequencies appeared formidable. Nevertheless, it is possible that physical performance of some frail elderly without contraindications to WBV can be improved with this type of rapidly executable physical training.

Fracture mortality: associations with epidemiology and osteoporosis treatment

The rates of incident osteoporotic fractures seem to be stabilizing; however, fragility fractures are still associated with considerable disability, costs and an increased risk of mortality, which is particularly the case for fractures of the hip and vertebra. Mortality is usually highest during the first year after fracture; however, a notably increased mortality risk might persist for several years after the event. In addition to its efficacy in the prevention of new and recurrent osteoporotic fractures, medical treatment has been associated with improved survival after osteoporotic fractures. Observational studies and randomized controlled clinical trials have reported increased survival in patients with a fracture who are treated with bisphosphonates. Rates of medical treatment in patients with osteoporosis remain low, and although the rationale for the putative increase in survival is unclear, this emerging evidence might help further justify the use of medical treatment after fracture. However, further work is needed before medical therapy for mortality prevention in patients with osteoporotic fractures is accepted.

Mortality after hip fracture in Austria 2008-2011

Osteoporosis-related hip fractures represent a substantial cause of mortality and morbidity in industrialized countries like Austria. Identification of groups at high risk for mortality after hip fracture is crucial for health policy decisions. To determine in-hospital, long-term, and excess mortality after osteoporosis-related hip fracture in Austrian patients, we conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of pseudonymized invoice data from Austrian social insurance authorities covering roughly 98 % of the entire population. The data set included 31,668 subjects aged 50 years and above sustaining a hip fracture between July 2008 and December 2010 with follow-up until June 2011, and an age-, gender-, and regionally matched control population without hip fractures (56,320 subjects). Kaplan-Meier and Cox hazard regression analyses served to determine unadjusted and adjusted mortality rates: Unadjusted all-cause 1-year mortality amounted to 20.2 % (95 % CI: 19.7-20.7 %). Males had significantly higher long-term, in-hospital, and excess mortality rates than females, but younger males exhibited lower excess mortality than their female counterparts. Advanced age correlated with increased long-term and in-hospital mortality, but lower excess mortality. Excess mortality, particularly in males, was highest in the first 6 months after hip fracture, but remained statistically significantly elevated throughout the observation period of 3 years. Longer hospital stay per fracture was correlated with mortality reduction in older patients and in patients with more subsequent fractures. In conclusion, more efforts are needed to identify causes and effectively prevent excess mortality especially in male osteoporosis patients.

The approach to patients with cognitive impairment and hip fracture: the role of orthogeriatric care

Hip fracture is very common among older patients, who are characterized by increased co-morbidities, including cognitive impairment. These patients have an increased risk of falls and fractures, poorer functional recovery and lower survival both in hospital and 12 months after discharge. We review the survival and functional outcomes of older patients with cognitive impairment and hip fracture managed in orthogeriatric units, and highlight the gaps in our knowledge of the efficacy and efficiency of specific orthogeriatric programmes for such patients and the future research perspectives in this field.

Bone marrow stem cells added to a hydroxyapatite scaffold result in better outcomes after surgical treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures

INTRODUCTION

Intertrochanteric hip fractures occur in the proximal femur. They are very common in the elderly and are responsible for high rates of morbidity and mortality. The authors hypothesized that adding an autologous bone marrow stem cells concentrate (ABMC) to a hydroxyapatite scaffold and placing it in the fracture site would improve the outcome after surgical fixation of intertrochanteric hip fractures.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

30 patients were randomly selected and divided into 2 groups of 15 patients, to receive either the scaffold enriched with the ABMC (Group A) during the surgical procedure, or fracture fixation alone (Group B).

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant difference in favor of group A at days 30, 60, and 90 for Harris Hip Scores (HHS), at days 30 and 60 for VAS pain scales, for bedridden period and time taken to start partial and total weight bearing (P < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

These results show a significant benefit of adding a bone marrow enriched scaffold to surgical fixation in intertrochanteric hip fractures, which can significantly reduce the associated morbidity and mortality rates.

CONCLUSION

Bone marrow stem cells added to a hydroxyapatite scaffold result in better outcomes after surgical treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures.

Postoperative admission to a dedicated geriatric unit decreases mortality in elderly patients with hip fracture

Background

Elderly patients with hip fracture have a 5 to 8 fold increased risk of death during the months following surgery. We tested the hypothesis that early geriatric management of these patients focused on co-morbidities and rehabilitation improved long term mortality.

Methods and Findings

In a cohort study over a 6 year period, we compared patients aged >70 years with hip fracture admitted to orthopedic versus geriatric departments in a time series analysis corresponding to the creation of a dedicated geriatric unit. Co-morbidities were assessed using the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS). Each cohort was compared to matched cohorts extracted from a national registry (n = 51,275) to validate the observed results. Main outcome measure was 6-month mortality. We included 131 patients in the orthopedic cohort and 203 in the geriatric cohort. Co-morbidities were more frequent in the geriatric cohort (median CIRS: 8 vs 5, P<0.001). In the geriatric cohort, the proportion of patients who never walked again decreased (6% versus 22%, P<0.001). At 6 months, re-admission (14% versus 29%, P = 0.007) and mortality (15% versus 24%, P = 0.04) were decreased. When co-morbidities were taken into account, the risk ratio of death at 6 months was reduced (0·43, 95%CI 0·25 to 0·73, P = 0.002). Using matched cohorts, the average treatment effects on the treated associated to early geriatric management indicated a reduction in hospital mortality (−63%; 95% CI: −92% to −6%, P = 0.006).

Conclusions

Early admission to a dedicated geriatric unit improved 6-month mortality and morbidity in elderly patients with hip fracture.

Excess mortality after hip fracture among the elderly in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based cohort study

Osteoporotic hip fractures cause high mortality in the elderly population. However, few population studies reported the long-term mortality of hip fracture among the elderly in Asian population. This study assessed the incidence, excess mortality, and risk factors after osteoporotic hip fractures through inpatients aged 60 years or older. A total of 143,595 patients with hip fracture were selected from Taiwan National Health Insurance database in the years 1999 to 2009 and followed up until the end of 2010. Annual incidence, mortality and SMR, and mortality and SMR at different periods after fracture were measured. From 1999 to 2005, hip fracture incidence gradually increased and then fluctuated after 2006. From 1999 to 2009, the male-to-female ratio of annual incidence increased from 0.60 to 0.66, annual mortality for hip fracture decreased from 18.10% to 13.98%, male-to-female ratio of annual mortality increased from 1.38 to 1.64, and annual SMR decreased from 13.80 to 2.98. Follow-up SMR at one, two, five, and ten years post-fracture was 9.67, 5.28, 3.31, and 2.89, respectively. Females had higher follow-up SMR in the younger age groups (60-69 yr of age) but lower follow-up SMR in the older age groups (over 80 yr of age) compared with males. Among the studied patients, incidence is gradually decreasing along with annual mortality and SMR. Hip fracture affects short-term but not long-term mortality.

Consumption of yogurts fortified in vitamin D and calcium reduces serum parathyroid hormone and markers of bone resorption: a double-blind randomized controlled trial in institutionalized elderly women

CONTEXT

Nutritional prevention of bone deterioration with fortified foods seems particularly suitable in institutionalized elderly women at risk of vitamin D deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism, increased bone resorption, and osteoporotic fracture.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to evaluate whether fortification of yogurts with vitamin D and calcium exerts an additional lowering effect on serum PTH and bone resorption markers as compared with isocaloric and isoprotein dairy products in elderly women.

DESIGN

A randomized double-blind controlled-trial, 56-day intervention was conducted in institutionalized women (mean age 85.5 years) consuming 2 125-g servings of either vitamin D- and calcium-fortified yogurt (FY) at supplemental levels of 10 μg/d vitamin D₃ and 800 mg/d calcium or nonfortified control yogurt (CY) providing 280 mg/d calcium.

MAIN OUTCOMES

The endpoints were serum changes from baseline (day 0) to day 28 and day 56 in 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25OHD), PTH, and bone resorption markers tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform-5b (TRAP5b), the primary outcome, and carboxyl-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX).

RESULTS

At day 56, serum 25OHD increased (mean ± SEM) by 25.3 ± 1.8 vs 5.2 ± 2.5 nmol/L in FY (n = 29) and CY (n = 27), respectively (P < .0001). The corresponding changes in PTH were -28.6% ± 7.2% vs -8.0% ± 4.3% (P = .0003); in TRAP5b, -21.9% ± 4.3% vs 3.0% ± 3.2% (P < .0001); and in CTX, -11.0% ± 9.7% vs -3.0% ± 4.1% (P = .0146), in FY and CY, respectively. At day 28, these differences were less pronounced but already significant for 25OHD, PTH, and TRAP5b.

CONCLUSIONS

This study in institutionalized elderly at high risk for osteoporotic fracture suggests that fortification of dairy products with vitamin D₃ and calcium provides a greater prevention of accelerated bone resorption as compared with nonfortified equivalent foods.

Pelvic fracture rates in community-living people with and without disability and in residents of nursing homes

OBJECTIVES

There are limited data on the epidemiology of pelvic fractures. The purpose of this study was to calculate incidence rates of pelvic fractures leading to hospital admission and to compare incidence rates between residents of nursing homes and community-dwelling persons with and without care need.

METHODS

Data were retrieved from a database of the largest health insurance company in Bavaria, Germany. Between 2004 and 2009, 10,170 pelvic fractures were observed in 751,101 women and 491,098 men. Age- and gender-specific incidence rates were calculated. Incidence rates were further stratified by setting (nursing home versus community) and functional status (no care need versus care need for those in the community). In addition, the average cumulative risk for a pelvic fracture at different ages was calculated.

RESULTS

The incidence rate increased from 0.54 and 0.38 per 1000 person-years in women and men aged 65 to 69 years to 9.35 and 4.45 per 1000 person-years in women and men aged 90 years and older, respectively. Persons living in a nursing home or living at home with care need had considerably higher incidence rates than community-dwelling older persons without care need. The average cumulative risk at the age of 65 years for an incident pelvic fracture until the age of 90 years was 6.9% in women and 2.8% in men.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of pelvic fractures leading to hospital admission is higher in women than in men and rises dramatically with increasing age. Persons with care need have a particularly high risk for pelvic fracture.

Femoral fracture rates after discharge from the hospital to the community

Previous studies found that the risk of a femoral fracture in residents newly admitted to nursing homes was highest during the first months after admission and declined thereafter. Many nursing home admissions are preceded by a hospitalization. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze if a similar risk pattern of fall-related fractures could also be observed in community-dwelling people at home after discharge from the hospital. Routine data of more than 690,000 German people aged 65 years and older with more than 2 million hospital discharges were used to calculate fracture rates in the first 6 months after hospitalization, for people discharged to live in the community. Incidence rates of femoral fractures as a function of time since discharge from hospital were analyzed. Analyses were stratified by sex, age, the need for care, and diagnostic groups. For femoral fractures the incidence was highest during the first months after discharge and declined thereafter. This pattern was observed in women and men, in different age-groups, in different diagnostic groups, and in people with and without the need for care. For example, rates for femoral fractures in women declined from 17.4 to 11.0 per 1000 person years over the first 6 months after admission, and in men over the same time period from 8.2 to 4.5 per 1000 person-years, respectively. We conclude that the first weeks at home after discharge from the hospital are associated with an increased risk for femoral fractures.

Quedas e fraturas entre residentes de instituições de longa permanência para idosos

OBJETIVO: Investigar a ocorrência de quedas e fraturas no último ano e fatores associados entre residentes de instituições de longa permanência para idosos (ILPI). MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal exploratório, a partir de um censo realizado em ILPI localizadas em Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, em 2008. As quedas e fraturas decorrentes dessas foram investigadas a partir de autorrelato referente ao último ano. Sexo, idade, escolaridade, incapacidade funcional para atividades básicas da vida diária, tipo de financiamento da instituição e hospitalização no último ano foram coletados como potencias fatores associados à ocorrência de queda no último ano. Empregou-se o teste qui-quadrado para heterogeneidade e tendência linear e, na análise ajustada, a regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. RESULTADOS: Nas 24 ILPI incluídas no estudo, coletaram-se dados de 466 indivíduos. A prevalência de quedas no último ano foi de 38,9% (IC95%: 34,5 - 43,4). Dentre aqueles que caíram, as fraturas acometeram 19,2%. As fraturas mais frequentes foram: fêmur/quadril (43,3%) e punho (10%). Na análise ajustada, o avanço da idade, apresentar incapacidade funcional em uma a cinco atividades da vida diária, residir em instituições públicas/filantrópicas e ter sido hospitalizado no último ano associaram-se à queda no último ano. CONCLUSÃO: A alta ocorrência de quedas e fraturas entre residentes de instituições de longa permanência para idosos revela a fragilidade da população avaliada. Atenção específica deve ser destinada a indivíduos mais velhos e hospitalizados no último ano.

Hip fracture in hospitalized medical patients

Background

The aim of the present study is to analyze the incidence of hip fracture as a complication of admissions to internal medicine units in Spain.

Methods

We analyzed the clinical data of 2,134,363 adults who had been admitted to internal medicine wards. The main outcome was a diagnosis of hip fracture during hospitalization.

Outcome measures included rates of in-hospital fractures, length of stay and cost.

Results

A total of 1127 (0.057%) admittances were coded with an in-hospital hip fracture. In hospital mortality rate was 27.9% vs 9.4%; p < 0.001, and the mean length of stay was significantly longer for patients with a hip fracture (20.7 days vs 9.8 days; p < 0.001). Cost were higher in hip-fracture patients (6927€ per hospitalization vs 3730€ in non fracture patients). Risk factors related to fracture were: increasing age by 10 years increments (OR 2.32 95% CI 2.11-2.56), female gender (OR 1.22 95% CI 1.08-1.37), admission from nursing home (OR 1.65 95% CI 1.27-2.12), dementia (1.55 OR 95% CI1.30-1.84), malnutrition (OR 2.50 95% CI 1.88-3.32), delirium (OR 1.57 95% CI 1.16-2.14), and anemia (OR 1.30 95%CI 1.12-1.49).

Conclusions

In-hospital hip fracture notably increased mortality during hospitalization, doubling the mean length of stay and mean cost of admission. These are reasons enough to stress the importance of designing and applying multidisciplinary plans focused on reducing the incidence of hip fractures in hospitalized patients.

Burden of pelvis fracture: a population-based study of incidence, hospitalisation and mortality

The objective of this study was to describe the incidence and consequences of pelvic fractures in a community cohort. The incidence of pelvic fractures increases with age with a protective effect of higher body mass index. Almost 60% of those with a pelvic fracture required an inpatient stay, with a median of 9 days. There was a higher 3-year mortality in those admitted (17%) vs. those not admitted (6.3%). Given the substantial health burden, further work is required to identify the optimal post-fracture therapeutic strategy to improve outcomes.

INTRODUCTION

The burden of pelvis fractures is projected to increase, but there is a paucity of community-based studies describing rates, mortality and future fracture risk. We therefore estimated the age, gender and BMI-specific incidence of pelvis fracture in Catalonia (North-East Spain), and assessed hospital stay and mortality following fracture.

METHODS

The SIDIAP(Q) database contains validated clinical information from computerised medical records of a representative sample of 30% of the population of Catalonia. We conducted a retrospective cohort study including all subjects aged ≥ 40 in SIDIAP(Q) and linked to the regional Hospital Admissions Database from 2007 to 2009. Pelvis fractures were ascertained using ICD-10 codes. Incidence and mortality rates were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 1,118,173 patients (582,820 women) were observed for 3 years and 1,356 had a pelvic fracture. The rate for pelvic fracture was 4.35/10,000 person-years (pyar) [95% CI 4.13-4.59] (men-2.73 [2.48-3.01]; women-5.82 [5.46-6.20]). This increased with age, peaking in those over 90 years: 29.41 [25.74-33.59]. Higher BMI was protective (HR 0.75 per SD BMI; [0.69-0.82]). Moreover, 59.1% of fractured patients were hospitalised with a median (IQR) stay of 9 (5-16) days, and after the 3-year follow-up 13.9% died (mortality rate 10.7/100 pyar [9.3-12.3]) with higher rates in those hospitalised (17.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Pelvic fractures are associated with high rates of hospitalisation and mortality. Given this, further work is required to identify the optimal post-fracture therapeutic strategy to improve outcomes in this elderly patient group.

Femoral fracture rates in people with and without disability

OBJECTIVE

to estimate femoral fracture rates in community-dwelling older people without care need (CCN(-)), in community-dwelling older people with care need (CCN(+)) and in residents of nursing homes (RNH) and to determine their contribution to the overall burden of femoral fractures.

METHODS

routine data of more than 1.2 million German people aged 65 years and more were used to calculate sex- and age-specific femoral fracture rates in the three groups CCN(-), CCN(+) and RNH. Those people receiving benefits of the long-term care insurance were defined as having care need. The percentile contribution of the three subpopulations to the overall burden of femoral fractures was determined.

RESULTS

during 5,319,438 person-years, 44,000 femoral fractures were recorded. In each of the three subpopulations female and male fracture rates increased with increasing age. Femoral fracture rates of the total subpopulations were 6.13, 34.53 and 43.05 femoral fractures/1,000 person-years in CCN(-), CCN(+) and RNH in women and 2.66, 20.34 and 31.09 in men, respectively. The contribution of people with care need to the overall burden of femoral fractures in older people was about 50%.

CONCLUSION

the incidence of femoral fractures was considerably higher in people with care need than in people without care need. This should be considered when planning medical care or targeting preventive measures.

Regional and age-related variations in the proportions of hip fractures and major fractures among postmenopausal women: the Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women

We examined variations in proportions of hip fractures and major fractures among postmenopausal women using the Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women (GLOW). The proportion of major fractures that were hip fractures varied with age and region, whereas variations in the proportion of fractures that were major fractures appeared modest.

INTRODUCTION

In many countries, the World Health Organization fracture risk assessment tool calculates the probability of major fractures by assuming a uniform age-associated proportion of major fractures that are hip fractures in different countries. We further explored this assumption, using data from the GLOW.

METHODS

GLOW is an observational population-based study of 60,393 non-institutionalized women aged ≥55 years who had visited practices within the previous 2 years. Main outcome measures were self-reported prevalent fractures after the age of 45 years and incident fractures during the 2 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

The adjusted proportion of prevalent and incident major fractures after the age of 45 years that were hip fractures was higher in North America (16%, 17%) than in northern (13%, 12%) and southern Europe (10%, 10%), respectively. The proportion of incident major fractures that were hip fractures increased more than five-fold with age, from 6.6% among 55-59-year-olds to 34% among those aged ≥85 years. Regional and age-associated variations in the proportion of all incident fractures that were major fractures were less marked, not exceeding 16% and 28%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that there may be regional differences in the proportion of major fractures that are hip fractures in postmenopausal women. In contrast, the regional and age-related variations in the proportion of fractures that are major fractures appear to be modest. However, because of the limited number of fractures in our sample, further studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

Falls in newly admitted nursing home residents: a national study

OBJECTIVES

To examine the relationship between nursing home (NH) organizational characteristics and falls in newly admitted NH residents.

DESIGN

Observational cross-sectional study from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2006.

SETTING

NHs in the United States in 2006.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals (n = 230,730) admitted to a NH in 2006 without a prior NH stay and with a follow-up Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment completed 30 days or more after admission.

MEASUREMENTS

The relationship between experiencing a fall noted on the MDS assessment and NH characteristics (e.g., staffing, profit and chain status, religious affiliation, hospital-based facility status, number of beds, presence of a special care unit, funding) was examined, adjusting for NH resident characteristics.

RESULTS

Twenty-one percent of this cohort (n = 47,750) had experienced at least one fall in the NH at the time of the MDS assessment, which was completed for newly admitted NH residents who had at least a 30-day stay. NHs with higher certified nursing assistant (CNA) staffing had lower rates of falls (adjusted odds ratio = 0.97, 95% confidence interval = 0.95-0.99).

CONCLUSION

For newly admitted NH residents, NHs with higher CNA staffing had a lower fall rate. In an effort to maximize fall prevention efforts, further research is needed to understand the relationship between CNA staffing and falls in this NH population.

Thinking falls-taking action: a falls prevention tool for care homes

Falls in older people resident within care home settings are common and serious, often resulting in injury and mortality. Yet there is no standardised approach within UK care homes to assessing the risk of falls for individuals or identifying risk factors relevant for that person. The Guide to Action for Falls Prevention Tool - Care Homes (GtACH) was developed with local care homes in Nottinghamshire. Ten care homes were selected to participate in the study, four withdrawing before data collection commenced. Fourteen care home staff across six care homes tested the tool for usability and found it quick (20 minutes) and easy to use, yet only 53% of the recommended interventions highlighted were completed. The GtACH needs further evaluation to test whether its use prompts actions which reduce the number of falls, and the barriers to these actions being taken.

Risk of death associated with use of PPIs in three cohorts of institutionalized older people in Finland

OBJECTIVES

To (1) explore clinical and demographic characteristics of users and nonusers of PPIs in 3 cohorts of institutionalized older people in Finland, and (2) compare the risk of death associated with use of PPIs in each setting.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional assessment of 3 institutionalized cohorts with 1-year follow-up of all-cause mortality.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1389 residents of 69 assisted living facilities (first cohort), 1004 residents of long term care hospitals (second cohort), and 425 residents in acute geriatric wards or in nursing homes (third cohort).

MEASUREMENTS

Demographic, drug use, and diagnostic data were collected during structured assessments conducted by trained nurses or geriatricians. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compute unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between use of PPIs and mortality.

RESULTS

In the assisted living facility, the mortality was 20.2% (n = 74) and 20.4% (n = 208) among users and nonusers of PPIs, respectively (P = 0.94). PPIs were not associated with mortality in unadjusted or adjusted analyses. In the long term care hospitals, use of PPIs was associated with increased mortality (HR, 1.36; 95% CI 1.04-1.77) when adjusted for age, sex, comorbidity, use of SSRIs, and malnutrition. In the acute geriatric wards and nursing homes, use of PPIs was associated with increased mortality (HR, 1.90; 95% CI 1.23-2.94) when adjusted for age, sex, comorbidity, delirium, and use of aspirin and SSRIs.

CONCLUSION

PPIs were not associated with mortality among residents in assisted living facilities, but were associated with increased mortality in settings where residents experienced higher levels of disability and possible susceptibility to adverse drug events.

The association between breast cancer prognostic indicators and serum 25-OH vitamin D levels

BACKGROUND

Studies show that women with low vitamin D levels have an increased risk of breast cancer (BC) incidence and mortality, but there is a lack of research examining vitamin D levels and prognostic variables in BC patients. The aim of this study is to examine 25-OH vitamin D levels between BC cases and controls and by prognostic indicators among BC cases.

METHODS

25-OH vitamin D levels were collected from 194 women who underwent BC surgery and 194 cancer-free (CF) controls at the University of Rochester between January 2009 and October 2010. Mean 25-OH vitamin D levels and odds ratios (OR) were calculated by case/control status for the overall cohort and by prognostic indicators (invasiveness, ER status, triple-negative status, Oncotype DX score, molecular phenotype) for BC cases.

RESULTS

BC cases had significantly lower 25-OH vitamin D levels than CF controls (BC: 32.7 ng/mL vs. CF: 37.4 ng/mL; P = .02). In case-series analyses, women with suboptimal 25-OH vitamin D concentrations (<32 ng/mL) had significantly higher odds of having ER- (OR = 2.59, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.08-6.23) and triple-negative cancer (OR = 3.15, 95% CI = 1.05-9.49) than those with optimal 25-OH D concentrations. Women with basal-like phenotype had lower 25-OH vitamin D levels than women luminal A phenotype (basal-like: 24.2 ng/mL vs. luminal A: 32.8 ng/mL; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

BC patients with a more aggressive molecular phenotype (basal-like) and worse prognostic indicators (ER- and triple-negative) had lower mean 25-OH vitamin D levels. Further research is needed to elucidate the biological relationship between vitamin D and BC progression.

The effect of age and gender on 59 trace-element contents in human rib bone investigated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The effect of age and gender on 59 trace-element contents in rib bone of 80 apparently healthy 15-55-year-old women (n = 38) and men (n = 42) was investigated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) for the mass fraction (milligrams per kilogram, on dry-weight basis) of Ba, Bi, Cd, Ce, Cu, Dy, Er, Gd, La, Li, Mn, Mo, Nd, Pb, Pr, Rb, Sm, Sr, Tb, Tl, U, Yb, and Zn for both female and male taken together were: Ba 2.5 ± 0.2, Bi 0.015 ± 0.002, Cd 0.044 ± 0.005, Ce 0.029 ± 0.002, Cu 1.05 ± 0.06, Dy 0.0020 ± 0.0003, Er 0.0011 ± 0.0002, Gd 0.0015 ± 0.0001, La 0.020 ± 0.002, Li 0.040 ± 0.002, Mn 0.354 ± 0.004, Mo 0.052 ± 0.006, Nd 0.011 ± 0.001, Pb 2.24 ± 0.14, Pr 0.0032 ± 0.0004, Rb 1.51 ± 0.06, Sm 0.0014 ± 0.0001, Sr 291 ± 20, Tb 0.00041 ± 0.00005, Tl 0.00050 ± 0.00003, U 0.0013 ± 0.0001, Yb 0.00072 ± 0.00007, and Zn 92.8 ± 1.5, respectively. The upper limit of mean contents of Ag, Al, B, Be, Br, Cr, Cs, Hg, Ho, Lu, Ni, Sb, Te, Th, Ti, Tm, and Y were: Ag ≤ 0.011, Al ≤ 7.2, B ≤ 0.65, Be ≤ 0.0032, Br ≤ 3.9, Cr ≤ 0.25, Cs ≤ 0.0077, Hg ≤ 0.018, Ho ≤ 0.00053, Lu ≤ 0.00024, Ni ≤ 1.05, Sb ≤ 0.0096, Te ≤ 0.0057, Th ≤ 0.0030, Ti ≤ 2.8, Tm ≤ 0.00006, and Y ≤ 0.0047, respectively. In all bone samples, the contents of As, Au, Co, Eu, Ga, Hf, Ir, Nb, Pd, Pt, Re, Rh, Sc, Se, Sn, Ta, V, W, and Zr were under detection limits. The Ce, Dy, Er, Gd, La, Nd, Pr, Sm, Tb, and Yb contents increase with age. Higher Sr mass fraction is typical of female rib as compared to those in male bone.

Older people's recruitment, sustained participation, and adherence to falls prevention interventions in institutional settings: a supplement to the Cochrane systematic review

BACKGROUND

randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of falls prevention conducted in institutional settings have recently been systematically reviewed.

OBJECTIVE

to supplement this review by analysing older people's participation in the trials and engagement with the interventions.

DESIGN

review of the 41 RCTs included in the Cochrane systematic review of falls prevention interventions.

SETTING

hospitals and nursing care facilities.

PARTICIPANTS

adults aged/mean age of 65+.

METHODS

calculated aggregate data on recruitment (inclusion into the trial), attrition at 12-month follow-up (loss of participants from the trial), adherence (to intervention protocol), and whether adherence moderated the effect of interventions on trial outcomes.

RESULTS

the median inclusion rate was 48.5% (38.9-84.5%). At 12 months the median attrition rate was 10.4% (3.9-12.3%, n = 10) or with the inclusion of mortality 16.2% (9.5-17.1%, n = 11). Adherence was high for exercise that was individually targeted (e.g. 89% physical therapy) and group based (72-88%) and for medication interventions (68-88%). For multifactorial interventions, adherence ranged from 11% for attending 60+/88 of exercise classes to 93% for use/repairs of aids. Adherence as a moderator of treatment effectiveness was tested in nursing care facilities (n = 6) and positively identified in three studies for medication and multifactorial interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

using median rates for recruitment (50%), attrition (15%) and adherence (80%), by 12 months, it is estimated that on average only a third of nursing care facility residents are likely to be adhering to falls prevention interventions.

Minimal trauma fractures: lifting the specter of misconduct by identifying risk factors and planning for prevention

Minimal trauma fractures are an unfortunate, yet not uncommon, event for frail elderly individuals in long term care facilities. These fractures result in significant morbidity including pain and loss of function along with significantly increased mortality. Further concern exists for the medico-legal issues raised after a minimal trauma fracture is discovered. The controversy at hand is whether such fractures are primarily the result of inadequate, careless, or abusive care practices. We build a case to the contrary. Although the data regarding this condition are limited, there exists a reasonable evidence base to identify an at-risk patient population. We present a representative case and subsequent literature review of minimal trauma fractures to illustrate the condition, including risk factors, mode of presentation, and patient outcomes. No direct research has been conducted on the pathophysiology of these fractures. Extrapolating from other similar conditions and likely associated comorbid illnesses, we explore possible physiologic explanations for their occurrence. Again, no direct investigation into prevention or treatment of minimal trauma fractures has been published. Instead, we consider a variety of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions that may modify the risk for minimal trauma fractures considering the previously identified risk factors and probable pathophysiologic changes leading to fracture development. We propose that reducing minimal trauma fractures in the frail elderly nursing home population will require careful staff education, close attention to identify at-risk patients, and implementation of select interventions aimed at preventing such fractures.

The effect of various vitamin D supplementation regimens in breast cancer patients

Vitamin D deficiency in the patients treated for breast cancer is associated with numerous adverse effects (bone loss, arthralgia, and falls). The first aim of this study was to assess vitamin D status, determined by 25-OH vitamin D levels, among women diagnosed with breast cancer according to demographic/clinical variables and bone mineral density (BMD). The second aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of daily low-dose and weekly high-dose vitamin D supplementation on 25-OH vitamin D levels. This retrospective study included 224 women diagnosed with stage 0-III breast cancer who received treatment at the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Total 25-OH vitamin D levels (D(2) + D(3)) were determined at baseline for all participants. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a 25-OH vitamin D level < 20 ng/ml, insufficiency as 20-31 ng/ml, and sufficiency as ≥32 ng/ml. BMD was assessed during the period between 3 months before and 6 months following the baseline vitamin D assessment. Based on the participants' baseline levels, they received either no supplementation, low-dose supplementation (1,000 IU/day), or high-dose supplementation (≥50,000 IU/week), and 25-OH vitamin D was reassessed in the following 8-16 weeks. Approximately 66.5% had deficient/insufficient vitamin D levels at baseline. Deficiency/insufficiency was more common among non-Caucasians, women with later-stage disease, and those who had previously received radiation therapy (P < 0.05). Breast cancer patients with deficient/insufficient 25-OH vitamin D levels had significantly lower lumbar BMD (P = 0.03). Compared to the no-supplementation group, weekly high-dose supplementation significantly increased 25-OH vitamin D levels, while daily low-dose supplementation did not significantly increase levels. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were common among women with breast cancer and associated with reduced BMD in the spine. Clinicians should carefully consider vitamin D supplementation regimens when treating vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in breast cancer patients.

Nutritional approach for inhibiting bone resorption in institutionalized elderly women with vitamin D insufficiency and high prevalence of fracture

BACKGROUND

Nutritional approach to the deterioration of bone integrity and increased fracture risk appears to be particularly appropriate in elderly women living in nursing homes.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the beneficial effect of the consumption of soft plain cheese on bone resorption markers in institutionalized elderly women.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized crossover controlled study.

SETTING

Six French nursing homes or other institutions for elderly.

PARTICIPANTS

Institutionalized women ≥ 65 years old with low vitamin D status and calcium intake below 700 mg/day.

INTERVENTION

Consumption of soft plain cheese made of semi-skimmed milk which was fortified by both vitamin D3 (+1.25 µg/100g) and milk extracted Ca, thus achieving a total Ca content of 151 mg/100g as compared to about 118 mg/100g for standard fresh cheese. Two servings were taken every day during the 6 weeks that preceded or followed a period of 6 weeks without soft plain cheese consumption.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary end point was the change in serum carboxy terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) selected as a marker of bone resorption.

RESULTS

29 women aged 73-94 yr were selected, 21 of them with mean age 87.2±6.1 years remained compliant. The intervention increased calcium and protein intakes by 51% (904±228 vs. 599±122 mg/d) and 33 % (74.2±17.1 vs. 55.6±12.7 g/d, mean±SD), respectively. The dietary intervention was associated with a statistically significant increase in serum levels of both 25OHD and IGF-I, while those of [corrected] CTX and TRAP5b were significantly reduced. Compliance was 93,4 %. The daily consumption of two servings of soft plain cheese was well accepted in terms of tastiness and appetite suited portion size.

CONCLUSION

This randomized crossover controlled trial demonstrates that in elderly women living in nursing homes, the consumption of soft plain cheese increasing the supply of vitamin D, calcium and proteins, could reduce bone resorption and thereby reduce the risk of incidental fragility fractures in the long term.

Service use and costs of incident femoral fractures in nursing home residents in Germany: the Bavarian Fall and Fracture Prevention Project (BF2P2)

OBJECTIVES

Hip fractures are one of the most costly consequences of falls in the elderly. Despite their increased risk of falls and fractures, nursing home residents are often neglected in service utilization and costing studies. The purpose of this study was to determine service use, initial and long-term direct costs of incident femoral fractures in nursing home residents 65 years or older in Germany.

DESIGN

An incidence-based, bottom-up cost-of-illness study aiming at measuring fracture-related direct costs from a payer perspective was conducted.

SETTING

Nursing homes

PARTICIPANTS

The retrospective dataset included all insurants of a sickness fund (Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse Bavaria), who were 65 years or older, resided in a nursing home, and had a level of care of at least one in the statutory long-term care insurance (n = 60,091).

MEASUREMENTS

Incident femoral fractures (ICD-10, S72) in 2006 were followed until the end of 2008, incorporating service use and costs of inpatient care (up to 12 months after the initial hospitalization episode), nursing home care (until death or the end of 2008), and ambulatory care (pharmaceuticals, nonphysician providers, and medical supply within 3 months after the initial hospitalization episode). Additional costs for nursing home and ambulatory care were determined with a before/after design. Costs beyond the year 2006 were discounted with a rate of 5%. Sensitivity analyses on key parameters were performed.

RESULTS

Overall mean direct costs of 9488 USD (SD ± 4453 USD, 2006) occurred for incident femoral fractures (n = 1525). This included inpatient care (90.2%), additional costs for nursing home care (7.1%), and ambulatory care (2.7%). Eighty-seven percent of the costs occurred for the initial hospitalization episode and 13% for long-term costs. After the index admission, 12.1% were admitted to a rehabilitation facility, 4.1% were rehospitalized within a year, and in 17.7% the level of care increased within 90 days after the end of the initial hospital episode. The share of residents with incident femoral fractures rehospitalized was significantly higher and costs for nonphysician providers were significantly lower for male residents.

CONCLUSION

Residents with femoral fractures used a wide range of health services. Our study underestimates the true costs to society in Germany. Efforts should be directed to economic evaluations of fall-prevention programs aiming at reducing fall-related fractures including femoral fractures.

Excess mortality after pelvic fractures in institutionalized older people

Mortality after pelvic fracture was calculated in residents of nursing homes. Compared with a matched comparison nonfracture group, excess mortality was found during the first 2 months after pelvic fracture.

INTRODUCTION

Low energy pelvic fractures are mainly observed in people of advanced older age. The incidence of these fractures has increased considerably during the last decades. Information about excess mortality after pelvic fractures in older people is not available.

METHODS

To calculate excess mortality, a retrospective cohort study was conducted. Data from residents institutionalized in Bavarian nursing homes between 2001 and 2006 were used. For each patient with a pelvic fracture (n=1,154), five residents without pelvic fracture (n=5,770) were matched by sex, age, date of admission to the nursing home, and level of care (measure for the need of care). Hazard regression models were applied.

RESULTS

An excess mortality was found during the first months after pelvic fracture. In women, the increased mortality risk was limited to the first (hazard rate ratio (HR) 1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42-2.37) and second (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.13-2.04) months after the injury. In men, excess mortality was more pronounced (HR 2.95, 95% CI 1.57-5.54 for the first month) and appeared to last longer than in women. The majority of deaths due to pelvic fractures in the first 2 months after injury occurred following discharge from the hospital to the nursing home.

CONCLUSION

Pelvic fractures are associated with an increased mortality. These results should encourage the development of preventive measures to reduce this excess mortality.

The effect of age and gender on 38 chemical element contents in human femoral neck investigated by instrumental neutron activation analysis

The effect of age and gender on 38 chemical element contents in femoral neck of 85 apparently healthy 15-55-year-old women (n = 38) and men (n = 47) was investigated by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Mean values (M +/- SEpsilonMu) for mass fraction (on dry weight basis) of Ca, Cl, Co, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Sr, and Zn for both female and male taken together were: Ca 153 +/- 3 g/kg, Cl 1,188 +/- 48 mg/kg, Co 0.0039 +/- 0.0004 mg/kg, Fe 55.5 +/- 8.8 mg/kg, K 490 +/- 22 mg/kg, Mg 1,940 +/- 48 mg/kg, Mn 0.385 +/- 0.015 mg/kg, Na 3,850 +/- 70 mg/kg, P 73.0 +/- 1.5 g/kg, Sr 288 +/- 18 mg/kg, and Zn 55.5 +/- 1.6 mg/kg, respectively. The upper limit of mean contents of Cr, Cs, Eu, Hg, Rb, Sb, Sc, and Se were: Cr < or = 0.2, Cs < or = 0.02, Eu < or = 0.007, Hg < or = 0.006, Rb < or = 0.8, Sb < or = 0.02, Sc < or = 0.0004, and Se < or = 0.06 mg/kg, respectively. In all bone samples, the contents of Ag, As, Au, Ba, Br, Cd, Ce, Gd, Hf, La, Lu, Nd, Sm, Ta, Tb, Th, U, Yb, and Zr were under detection limits. The Ca, Mg, and P contents decrease with age. Higher Ca, Cl, K, Mg, Mn, Na, and Sr mass fractions are typical of female femoral neck as compared to those in male bone.

The 1-year mortality of patients treated in a hip fracture program for elders

Comanagement of geriatric hip fracture patients with standardized protocols has been shown to improve short-term outcomes after surgery. A standardized, patient-centered, comanaged Hip Fracture Program for Elders is examined for 1-year mortality. Patients ≥60 years of age who were treated in the Hip Fracture Program for Elders were comanaged by orthopaedic surgeons and geriatricians. Data including age, place of origin, procedure, length of stay, 1-year mortality, Charlson score, and activities of daily living (ADLs) were retrospectively collected. A total of 758 patients ≥60 years of age with hip fractures between April 15, 2005, and March 1, 2009, were included. Their data were analyzed, and the Social Security Death Index and the hospital data system were searched for mortality data. Seventy-eight percent were female, with a mean age of 84.8 years. The mean Charlson score was 3. Fifty percent were admitted from an institutional setting. The overall 1-year mortality was 21.2%. Age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00-1.05; P = .02), male gender (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.01-2.36; P = .04), low Parker mobility score (OR = 2.94, 95% CI = 1.31-6.57; P = .01), and a Charlson score of 4 or greater (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.30-3.55; P = .002) were predictive of 1-year mortality. ADL dependence was a borderline predictor, as was medium Parker mobility score. Prefracture residence and moderate comorbidity (Charlson score of 2-3) were not independently predictive of mortality at 1 year after adjusting for other characteristics. A comprehensive comanaged hip fracture program for elders not only improves the short-term outcomes but also demonstrates a low 1-year mortality rate, particularly in patients from nursing facilities.

Hip fractures in long-term care: is the excess explained by the age and gender distribution of the residents?

Introduction. This study compares hip fracture rates in Long Term Care (LTC) residents with those in the community to determine if their high rate of fracturing reflects the extreme age and predominantly female nature of that population. Methods. Hospital discharge data in London Ontario (population 350,000) and Statistics Canada data were used to correct the hip fracture rate in the LTC setting for age and gender. Results. The risk of hip fracture is 1.8 times greater in LTC than in the community for people of similar age and gender. The rate in women is 1.5 times higher whereas in men it is 4.3 times higher. In the oldest residents, the risk in men exceeds that of women in LTC. Conclusion. The high hip fracture rate in LTC is not just a reflection of the age and predominantly female nature of this population. The oldest men in LTC are a particularly high risk group, deserving more attention.