Gender Differences Among Patients With Proximal Femur Fractures During Rehabilitation

The independent patient factors that affect length of stay following hip fractures

Introduction Management of hip fractures has evolved over recent years to drive better outcomes including length of hospital stay. We aimed to identify and quantify the effect that patient factors influence acute hospital and total health service length of stay. Methods A retrospective observational study based on National Hip Fracture Database data was conducted from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2015. A multiple regression analysis of 330 patients was carried out to determine independent factors that affect acute hospital and total hospital length of stay. Results American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade 3 or above, Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS) less than 8 and poor mobility status were independent factors, significantly increasing length of hospital stay in our population. Acute hospital length of stay can be predicted as 8.9 days longer when AMTS less than 8, 4.2 days longer when ASA grade was 3 or above and 20.4 days longer when unable to mobilise unaided (compared with independently mobile individuals). Other factors including total hip replacement compared with hemiarthroplasty did not independently affect length of stay. Conclusions Our analysis in a representative and generalisable population illustrates the importance of identifying these three patient characteristics in hip fracture patients. When recognised and targeted with orthogeriatric support, the length of hospital stay for these patients can be reduced and overall hip fracture care improved. Screening on admission for ASA grade, AMTS and mobility status allows prediction of length of stay and tailoring of care to match needs.

Activities of Daily Living and Determinant Factors among Older Adult Subjects with Lower Body Fracture after Discharge from Hospital: A Prospective Study

Fracture is a type of musculoskeletal injury that contributes to an inability to perform daily activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate activities of daily living (ADL) of older adult patients with lower body fracture and to determine factors influencing ADL. Patient's ADL was assessed at pre-fracture, ward admission and post-discharge phases using the Katz ADL questionnaire. There were 129 subjects at pre-fracture and ward phases and 89 subjects at discharge phase. There were four independent variables; age, gender, type of fracture and ability to walk before fracture. Logistic regression models showed that 'age' and 'ability to walk before fracture' were the determinant factors of dependent for 'bathing', 'dressing' and 'toileting'. The 'ability to walk before fracture' was the determinant factor of dependent for 'transferring'. 'Age' and 'gender' were the determinant factors of dependent for 'continence', while 'age' was the determinant factor of dependent for 'feeding'. The ADL score changes were significant across the phases with a reduction in ADL score in the ward admission phase and partial increment during the post-discharge phase. There were improvements in the health outcomes of subjects aged more than 50 years old after 3 months of being discharged from the hospital. In conclusion, age, being female, having a hip fracture and using a walking aid before fracture were the determinants identified in this study.

Selected life quality variables of women treated surgically due to intertrochanteric femur fractures in the aspect of nursing and rehabilitation standards

Introduction: The aim of presented study was to evaluate selected quality of life indicators for women treated surgically due to intertrochanteric femur fractures in terms of implementation of physiotherapeutic and nursing standards. Clinical Hospital in Krakow (5WSK) within the period from January 2015 to December 2016. At that time, 145 women with intertrochanteric femur fracture were admitted to the hospital. The age of the patients ranged between 58 and 92 years, with an average of 83.6 years. The following questionnaires and score scales were used to assess the quality of life: Short Pfeiffer Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale, SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire, Barthel scale, HOOS scale, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) by Yesavage, the author’s questionnaire on rehabilitation care problems related to urinary tract infections, bed sores, pneumonia, gastrointestinal disorders, gastrointestinal infections and thromboembolic complications as well as survival rate. Results and conclusions: 1. The quality of life of women operated because of intertrochanteric femoral fractures using an intramedullary Gamma nail had deteriorated in both short and long-term observation. 2. Maintenance and individualization of nursing standards and rehabilitation in women treated surgically due to intertrochanteric femoral fractures had a positive effect on the overall process of their treatment. 3.The level of physical activity declared by women operated due to intertrochanteric femur fracture prior to the occurrence of these fractures, has a signifi cant effect on their functional results in short and long-term observation. The higher the level of physical activity of these patients before the fracture, the more favourable was the functional outcome. 4. The level of mood and self-acceptance of the disease in women treated surgically for this fracture had signifi cant impact on the process of their nursing as well as rehabilitation, and on functional status in short and long-term follow-up. The higher the level of mood and self-acceptance of the disease in these women, the better the process of their nursing, rehabilitation and the functional outcome.

Predictors of a Change and Correlation in Activities of Daily Living after Hip Fracture in Elderly Patients in a Community Hospital in Poland: A Six-Month Prospective Cohort Study

Objectives: The consequences of hip fractures (HFs) in elderly persons include a deterioration in functional capacity to perform activities that enable independent living. Since prior research into this issue in Central Europe is rather scant, this study sought to assess the change in activities and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL/IADL) after HF surgery among Polish patients, to study predictors of regaining pre-fracture functional status three and six months later, and to evaluate the correlation between ADL and IADL limitations over time. Methods: A prospective study was conducted between 2011 and 2013 in a tertiary hospital in Western Poland. ADL/IADL were evaluated using the Katz index and Lawton scale, respectively. Results: About half (50.8%) of 120 patients (mean age 80.1 ± SD 7.59) had cognitive impairment (CI). Patients with CI were older (p = 0.002) and had lower scores for pre-fracture ADL/IADL (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Six months after HF, 33.3% of patients failed to return to their pre-fracture ADL and 62.5% failed to return to pre-fracture IADL; 20% of those who could walk before HF were unable to walk after six months. The pre-fracture Spearman correlation coefficient between ADL and IADL summary scores was 0.46; it increased to 0.70 at three months after HF surgery and 0.77 at six months (p < 0.0001). Regaining ADL after six months was more likely in patients with pre-fracture intact intellectual function and independence in pre-fracture ADL; regaining IADL, in younger patients and those with higher pre-fracture IADL scores. Conclusions: Impairment in functional performance is common after HF surgery. ADL and IADL were strongly correlated in these patients, with this increasing over time. Functional outcomes after HF were more dependent on patient characteristics than treatment-related factors. Therefore, more emphasis should be directed towards the pre-fracture period and, in particular, maintaining cognitive function and preserving functional capacity in older persons at high risk of HF.

Understanding patient and relative/carer experience of hip fracture in acute care: A qualitative study protocol

BACKGROUND

This paper presents a qualitative study protocol focusing on older peoples' experience of recovery in acute care following hip fracture and also the experiences of their family or informal carers. There is limited evidence regarding older people and their relatives'/carers' experiences of recovery in acute care.

AIM

The study had two research questions. First what is the experience of older people who have suffered a fractured hip and secondly what is the relatives'/carers' experience of being alongside a person who has suffered a fractured hip?

METHODS

The methodology chosen is phenomenology using the methods of interviewing and participant observation. It is planned to recruit a purposive sample of up to 40 patients including those with memory loss who have suffered a fractured hip, and up to 30 of their relative/carers, and up to 20 staff may choose to take part in the observation sessions. Analysis will be through drawing out units of meaning, bringing them together to form categories and themes of experience.

CONCLUSION

This study will extend knowledge by exploring what is important to patients and their relatives/carers in the early phase of recovery. Practice based principles that can be integrated into the hip fracture pathway and enhance future care will be developed from the study findings.

The relevance of gender in the care of hip fracture patients

As in many conditions, gender interplays with other social structures of inequality to impact upon women's and men's health and healthcare. This narrative review examines knowledge about sex, gender and hip fracture and suggests ways of highlighting the influence of gender in hip fracture healthcare. These will be considered in relation to two areas. Firstly the multifactorial dimension of hip fractures which identifies ethnicity, marital status, lifestyle, co-morbidities, environment in relation to falls and osteoporosis as important factors influencing the experience of hip fracture. Secondly the importance of acknowledging gender as a key element within research and management of care. Implications for practice are that we need a raised awareness of gender when we assess and care for patients, to ask critical questions about the gender bias in the evidence we use and reflect on how services and care practices may be biased towards gendered assumptions.

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy following muscle trauma leads to improved muscular regeneration in both male and female rats

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has the potential to enhance muscular regeneration. In previous publications, our group was able to show a dose-response relationship in female animals between the amount of transplanted cells and muscle force. The impact of sex on the regeneration of musculoskeletal injuries following MSC transplantation remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated histologic and biomechanical regeneration parameters in rats after autologous transplantation of MSCs. Our hypothesis was that female rats have greater muscle regeneration potential than male rats after autologous MSC transplantation.

METHODS

Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats received an open crush trauma of the left soleus muscle. One week after trauma, 2.5 × 10(6) autologous MSCs, harvested from tibial biopsies, were transplanted locally (female, n = 9; male, n = 9). Control animals received saline solution (female, n = 9; male, n = 9). Histologic analysis and biomechanical evaluation by in vivo muscle force measurement were performed 3 weeks after transplantation.

RESULTS

MSC therapy improved the force of the injured soleus in male rats significantly (twitch: treated, 0.76 [0.51-1.15]; twitch: untreated, 0.45 [0.32-0.73] [P = 0.01]; tetany: treated, 0.63 [0.4-1.21], tetany: untreated, 0.34 [0.16-0.48] [P = 0.04]). Force measurements in females also revealed significant improvements (twitch: treated, 0.71 [0.38-0.96]; twitch: untreated, 0.36 [0.18-0.63] [P = 0.005]; tetany: treated, 0.53 [0.21-0.68]; tetany: untreated, 0.27 [0.11-0.47] [P = 0.01]). The intersexual comparison of fast twitch and tetanic contraction forces revealed no significance (twitch, P = 0.55; tetany, P = 0.19). The histologic analysis showed no differences in the amount of fibrotic tissue (male, P = 0.9; female, P = 0.14) and the size of muscle area (male, P = 0.2; female, P = 0.56) following treatment. Male animals showed higher values for muscle area (P = 0.011) and less fibrosis (P = 0.028), independent of treatment.

CONCLUSION

The outcome of skeletal muscle regeneration after injury can be improved in animals of both sexes with MSC transplantation.