Risk of hip fracture following stroke, a meta-analysis of 13 cohort studies

Incidence and risk factors for stroke after hip fracture: a meta-analysis

Hip fractures represent a high burden and are associated with mortality in up to 30% of the cases. Stroke complications can be devastating and increase mortality and disability in elderly patients. This study aimed to determine the overall incidence and risk factors for stroke in patients with hip fractures. A systematic search of the literature using PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Collaboration Library databases was carried out. Studies have reported the incidence of stroke in patients > 50 years of age with hip fractures. Data were extracted according to PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42023384742). Data were combined using Review Manager version 5.4. A random-effects model was adopted if a significant heterogeneity was observed. The primary outcome was the incidence of stroke in patients with hip fractures. The secondary outcomes of interest included the influence on the incidence of demographic factors, associated conditions, habits, and analytical parameters. Of the 635 initially retrieved studies, 18 were included, with 256,197 patients. The mean age of the patients ranged from 55 to 84 years old. The overall incidence of stroke in patients with hip fracture was 6.72% (95% CI 4.37-9.07%. The incidence of stroke by region was highest in the American continent (8.09%, 95% CI 3.60-12.58%; P > 0.001). Regarding associated conditions diabetes significantly increased the risk of stroke (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.41-2.30). Respect to patient characteristics, BMI greater than 24.4 and female gender did not significantly increase the risk of stroke: (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.74-1.56) and (OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.91-1.46). Lastly, lower albumin concentrations were a risk factor for stroke in patients with hip fracture (MD - 3.18, 95% CI - 4.06 to 2.31). In conclusion, the incidence of stroke after hip fracture was 6.72%. The incidence of stroke increases over time, and the closely associated risk factors are diabetes and low albumin level.

New-onset stroke on the risk of hip fracture: the Kailuan cohort study in China

PURPOSE

Stroke is a documented risk factor for hip fracture(HF). However, no data is currently available on this issue in mainland China, we therefore assessed the risk of hip fracture after new-onset stroke using a cohort study.

METHODS

This study included 165,670 participants without a history of stroke at baseline from the Kailuan study. All participants were followed biennially until December 31, 2021. During follow-up, a total of 8,496 new-onset stroke cases were identified. For each case subject, four control subjects was randomly selected, matched for age (± 1 years) and sex. The final analysis comprised 42,455 pair-matched cases and controls. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to estimate the effect of new-onset stroke on the risk of hip fracture.

RESULTS

During an average follow-up of 8.87 (3.94) years, a total of 231 hip fracture cases occurred, 78 cases in the stroke group and 153 cases in the control group, with incidence rates of 1.12 and 0.50 per 1000 person-years, respectively. The cumulative incidence of the stroke group was higher than that of the controls (P < 0.01). The adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of hip fractures in the stroke group was 2.35 (1.77 to 3.12) (P < 0.001) to controls. After stratifying by gender, age, and body mass index, the higher risk was revealed in female (HR 3.10, 95 CI: 2.18 to 6.14, P < 0.001), age < 60 years old (HR 4.12, 95% CI: 2.18 to 7.78, P < 0.001), and non-obesity (BMI<28 kg/m²) (HR 1.74, 95% CI:1.31 to 2.31, P < 0.001) subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

Stroke significantly increases the risk of hip fracture, strategy for protecting stroke patients from falls and hip fractures should be emphasized in poststroke long-term management, particularly the female, age < 60 years old, and non-obese patients.

Analysis of the Surgical Outcomes in Elderly Patients with Hip Fractures Combined with Hemiplegia

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the surgical outcomes in elderly (age ≥65) patients with hip fractures combined with hemiplegia and compare them with the surgical outcomes in elderly patients with hip fractures but no hemiplegia.

Methods

A total of 761 elderly patients with hip fractures who were treated between January 2013 and December 2019 were enrolled in this study using a retrospective study design. The patients were divided into two groups: a hemiplegia group (77 cases, 10.1%) and a non-hemiplegia group (684 cases, 89.9%). Length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, 30-day and one-year mortalities, and one-year functional status were compared between the two groups.

Results

The average length of hospital stay in the hemiplegia group (13.51 ± 10.17 days) was longer than in the non-hemiplegia group (12.60 ± 7.83 days), but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.354). The incidence of postoperative complications in patients with hemiplegia (28.6%, 22/77) was higher than in patients without hemiplegia (15.4%, 105/684), and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.003). The 30-day and one-year mortalities in the hemiplegia group were higher than in the non-hemiplegia group (30 days after surgery: 10.4%, 8/77 vs 4.5%, 31/684; one year after surgery: 29.9%, 23/77 vs 15.2%, 104/684), and the difference was statistically significant (30 days after surgery: P = 0.027; one year after surgery: P = 0.001). One year after surgery, the average activity of daily living score was 56.02 ± 9.63 in the hemiplegia group and 76.89 ± 8.40 in the non-hemiplegia group, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.000).

Conclusion

Hemiplegia can increase the incidence of postoperative complications and 30-day and one-year mortalities in patients with hip fractures.

Interleukin-13 Affects the Recovery Processes in a Mouse Model of Hemorrhagic Stroke with Bilateral Tibial Fracture

As one form of stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a fatal cerebrovascular disease, which has high morbidity and mortality and lacks effective medical treatment. Increased infiltration of inflammatory cytokines coupled with pyroptotic cell death is involved in the pathophysiological process of ICH. However, little is known about whether concomitant fracture patients have the same progression of inflammation and pyroptosis. Hence, we respectively established the mouse ICH model and ICH with bilateral tibial fracture model (MI) to explore the potential cross-talk between the above two injuries. We found that MI obviously reversed the expressions of pyroptosis-associated proteins, which were remarkably up-regulated at the acute phase after ICH. Similar results were observed in neuronal expressions via double immunostaining. Furthermore, brain edema was also significantly alleviated in mice who suffered MI, when compared with ICH alone. To better clarify the potential mechanisms that mediated this cross-talk, recombinant mouse interleukin-13 (IL-13) was used to investigate its effect on pyroptosis in the mouse MI model, in which a lower level of IL-13 was observed. Remarkably, IL-13 administration re-awakened cell death, which was mirrored by the re-upregulation of pyroptosis-associated proteins and PI-positive cell counts. The results of hemorrhage volume and behavioral tests further confirmed its critical role in regulating neurological functions. Besides, the IL-13-treated MI group showed poor outcomes of fracture healing. To sum up, our research indicates that controlling the IL-13 content in the acute phase would be a promising target in influencing the outcomes of brain injury and fracture, and meanwhile, provides new evidence in repairing compound injuries in clinics.

Factors associated with 90-day acute ischemic stroke in patients ≥70 years old with total hip arthroplasty for hip fracture

Background

Postoperative ischemic stroke is a devastating complication following total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of the current study was to investigate the incidence of postoperative acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in patients ≥70 years old with THA for hip fracture after 90 days and independent risk factors associated with 90-day AIS.

Methods

A multicenter retrospective study was conducted, patients ≥70 years old with THA for hip fracture under general anesthesia were included from February 2017 to March 2020. Patients with AIS within 90 days after THA were identified as AIS group; patients with no AIS were identified as no AIS group. The baseline characteristics and risk factors were collected, multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors of 90-dayAIS.

Results: 2517 patients (mean age 76.18 ± 6.01) were eligible for inclusion in the study. 2.50% (63/2517) of patients had 90-day AIS. Compared with no AIS, older age, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation (AF) and higher D-dimer value were more likely in patients with AIS (P < 0.05), and anticoagulant use was fewer in patients with AIS. ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cut point of D-dimer for AIS was D-dimer≥4.12 μg/ml. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that D-dimer≥4.12 μg/ml [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 4.44; confidence interval (CI), 2.50–7.72; P < 0.001], older age (aOR, 1.08; 95%CI, 1.03–1.12; P < 0.001), hyperlipidemia (aOR, 2.28; 95%CI, 1.25–4.16; P = 0.007), atrial fibrillation (aOR, 5.84; 95% CI, 1.08–15.68; P = 0.001), and diabetes (aOR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.56–4.39; P < 0.001) were associated with increased risk of 90-day AIS after THA.

Conclusions

In conclusion, we found that the incidence of 90-day AIS in patients≥70 years old with THA for hip fracture was 2.5%. Older age, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, AF and higher D-dimer value were independent risk factors for 90-day AIS in patients≥70 years old with THA for hip fracture.

Factors associated with fracture after stroke and TIA: a long-term follow-up

We assessed the long-term incidence of fractures after stroke and TIA and analyzed associated factors. The fracture incidence increases with age and is higher in stroke than in TIA. Dementia is associated with fractures after both. Our results indicate tailored measures are necessary for preventing fractures after stroke or TIA.

INTRODUCTION

In the present study, we aimed to assess the long-term incidence of fractures and analyze associated factors after stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

METHODS

The current cohort study included patients who had received an initial ischemic stroke or TIA diagnosis documented anonymously in the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA) between 2000 and 2016 by physicians in 1262 general practices in Germany. Univariate Cox and multivariate regression models were carried out.

RESULTS

Three groups (stroke, TIA, no stroke/TIA), each with 12,265 individuals, were selected (mean age 67.3 years, 48.1% female). A fracture was diagnosed in 12.9% of stroke patients and in 11.4% of TIA patients. Among male stroke patients, 11.1% had a fracture (15.4% among female stroke patients). The hazard ratio (HR) for fractures after stroke was 1.26 (CI: 1.15-1.39) and for fractures after TIA, it was 1.14 (CI: 1.03-1.25). In female stroke patients, the HR for fractures was 1.32 (CI: 1.15-1.60), while in males, it was 1.20 (CI: 1.03-1.39). Among TIA patients, females had an elevated HR for fractures (HR: 1.21; CI: 1.06-1.37). In individuals aged ≥ 80 years, an increased risk for fractures was only detected among TIA patients (HR: 1.26; CI: 1.05-1.51). Dementia and non-opioid analgesic therapy were positively associated with fracture after both stroke and TIA.

CONCLUSION

Stroke was positively associated with fracture in patients < 80 years, while TIA was positively associated with fracture in patients ≥ 80 years and females. Dementia and analgesic therapy were also associated with fracture after either stroke or TIA.

Incidence and risk factors associated with postoperative stroke in the elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery

OBJECTIVES

Stroke is one of the rare but devastating complications after hip fracture in the elderly. By far, there is still scarce data on postoperative stroke in elderly patients with hip fractures.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of prospectively collected data. Between October 2014 to December 2018, patients aged above 65 years who underwent operative treatment for hip fractures were included. Inpatient medical surveillance and scheduled telephone follow-up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation was conducted to identify who developed an incident stroke. Variables of interests were extracted from patients' inpatient medical records. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to identify the independent risk factors associated with stroke.

RESULTS

During the study period, a total of 3743 patients were included, among whom 56 were found to have a stroke after operation, representing an incidence of 1.5% (95% CI, 1.1 to 1.9%). The multivariate analyses showed that advanced age (1-year increment; OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.48), history of previous stroke (OR, 4.79; 95% CI, 1.86 to 6.56), ASA III and above (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.27 to 3.68), long-term use of aspirin (OR, 3.63; 95% CI, 1.41 to 4.78), and elevated RDW level (each increment of 1%, OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.36) were independently associated with postoperative stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

Although most are not modifiable, these risk factors help in counseling patients regarding the risk of postoperative stroke, individual risk stratification, and targeted optimization of medical conditions and should be firmly kept in treating surgeon's mind.

Immersive Virtual Reality in Stroke Patients as a New Approach for Reducing Postural Disabilities and Falls Risk: A Case Series

Stroke is a neurologic disorder considered the first cause of disability worldwide due to motor, cognitive, and sensorial sequels. Balance dysfunctions in stroke survivors increase the risk of falls and physiotherapeutic rehabilitation is essential to reduce it. Virtual reality (VR) seems to be an alternative to conventional physiotherapy (CT), providing virtual environments and multisensorial inputs to train balance in stroke patients. The aim of this study was to assess if immersive VR treatment is more effective than CT to improve balance after stroke. This study got the approval from the Ethics Committee of the University of Almeria. Three chronic ischemic stroke patients were selected. One patient who received 25 sessions of immersive VR intervention for two months was compared with another patient who received equivalent CT and a third patient with no intervention. Balance, gait, risk of falling, and vestibular and visual implications in the equilibrium were assessed. After the interventions, the two patients receiving any of the treatments showed an improvement in balance compared to the untreated patient. In comparison to CT, our results suggest a higher effect of immersive VR in the improvement of balance and a reduction of falls risk due to the active upright work during the VR intervention.

Sex differences in stroke

Sex disparities within the field of stroke, including subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAHs), have been in focus during the last 2 decades. It is clear that stroke incidence is higher in men, and also that men have their first stroke earlier than women. On the other hand, women have more severe strokes, mainly because cardioembolic strokes are more common in women. This leads to higher case fatality and worse functional outcome in women. It has often been pointed out that women more often have nontraditional stroke symptoms, and therefore may seek medical help later. After discharge from the hospital, female stroke survivors live alone in many cases and are dependent on external care. Therefore, these women frequently rate their quality of life (QoL) lower than men do. Female spouses more often provide help to their male stroke survivors than the reverse, and they accept a heavier burden. These caregivers are at high risk for depression, low QoL, and low psychologic wellbeing. SAH is a special form of stroke, often caused by a ruptured aneurysm. It is about 20% more common in women. The case fatality is high, but does not differ between the sexes.

Fractures after stroke-A Danish register-based study of 106 001 patients

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the incidence of fractures, possibly caused by falls, in patients aged 65 and older with first episode of stroke, and to estimate the incidence of fracture types for this group of patients. Another objective was to investigate stroke severity and marital status, as risk factors for fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A large retrospective dataset of 116 519 patients with first episode of stroke was extracted from the Danish Stroke Registry between January 2003 and December 2017. The occurrence of fractures was identified in the Danish National Patient Registry. A univariate analysis was conducted and a multivariate analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between stroke severity and fractures, and marital status and fractures, adjusting for multiple confounders. Cox regression with time-varying covariates was used, taking time-dependent variables into account.

RESULTS

The incidence rate of fractures post-stroke was 41.07 per 1000 person-years between 2003 and 2017 in Denmark. A total of 15 872 (14.86%) sustained a fracture and the mean time at risk until outcome was 3.67 years post-stroke. Femur fracture was the most common fracture type. Mild, moderate, severe, and unknown stroke severity are associated with fractures after stroke compared to very severe stroke, and living alone at the time of stroke is associated with fractures after stroke compared to living with someone.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence rate of fractures in Denmark was 41.07 per 1000 person-years. Moreover, mild, moderate, and severe stroke severity, and living alone at the time of stroke were found to be risk factors for fracture.

Long-Term Factors Associated With Falls and Fractures Poststroke

Background

Risk factors for poststroke falls and fractures remain poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate which factors increased risk of these events after stroke.

Methods

Data from 7,267 hospitalized stroke patients were acquired from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Stroke Register from 2003–2015. The impacts of multiple patient level and stroke characteristics and comorbidities on post-discharge falls and fractures were assessed. Univariate and multivariable models were constructed, adjusting for multiple confounders, using binary logistic regression for short-term analysis (up to 1-year post-discharge) and Cox-proportional hazard models for longer term analysis (1–3, 3–5, and 0–10 years follow-up).

Results

The mean age (SD) was 76.3 ± 12.1 years at baseline. 1,138 (15.7%) participants had an incident fall; and 666 (9.2%) an incident fracture during the 10-year follow-up (total person years = 64,447.99 for falls and 67,726.70 for fractures). Half of the sample population were females (50.6%) and the majority had an ischemic stroke (89.8%). After adjusting for confounders: age, sex, previous history of falls, and atrial fibrillation were associated with an increased risk of both falls and fractures during follow-up. Furthermore, chronic kidney disease and hyperlipidemia were associated with an increased risk of falls, while previous stroke/transient ischemic attack increased fracture risk. Total anterior circulation stroke and a prestroke modified Rankin Scale score of 3–5 were associated with decreased risk of both events, with hypertension and cancer decreasing risk of falls only.

Conclusion

We identified demographic, stroke-related, and comorbid factors associated with poststroke falls and fracture incidence. Further studies are required to examine and establish the relationship between reversible factors and further explore the role of preventative measures to prevent poststroke falls and fractures.

Ischemic Stroke Risk in Medicare Beneficiaries with Central Retinal Artery Occlusion: A Retrospective Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

To determine the incidence of ischemic cerebral stroke in the 6-month periods preceding and following acute central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) among Medicare beneficiaries.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study with comparison group conducted for calendar year 2013. Patients with CRAO were identified through National Medicare limited inpatient and institutional outpatient datasets for emergency services using ICD-9-CM code for CRAO (362.31). Patients with hip fractures (ICD-9-CM 820-820.9) during the same time period served as controls. Interval incident rates of ischemic stroke were determined from time-coded diagnoses of CRAO and hip fracture (index date zero) to date of principal discharge diagnosis of ischemic stroke (ICD-9-CM 434) recorded in the Medicare inpatient dataset. Risk of stroke was examined by comparing incidence among the two cohorts preceding and following the sentinel events.

RESULTS

There were 3338 patients with CRAOs during 2013. The incidence of ischemic stroke peaked the second week following CRAO relative to patients with hip fracture (relative incidence = 33.1 [95% confidence interval 9.8-84.6]).

CONCLUSIONS

Medicare beneficiaries who present to emergency rooms with CRAO or are hospitalized directly for this condition were at highest risk of ischemic stroke in the first 2 weeks following the ocular diagnosis. Patients with acute CRAO should be promptly evaluated for stroke and stroke prevention.

P2Y12 Receptor Antagonist, Clopidogrel, Does Not Contribute to Risk of Osteoporotic Fractures in Stroke Patients

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. It is associated with excessive bone loss and risk of fracture in stroke patients is high. The P2Y12R antagonist and platelet inhibitor, clopidogrel, is widely used for secondary prevention after a stroke. However, recent studies have shown that clopidogrel has negative effects on bone and that long-term clopidogrel use is associated with increased fracture risk. The purpose of the current study was therefore to investigate the association of clopidogrel treatment with risk of fractures in stroke and TIA patients.

Methods: The study was a cohort study including all subjects who were prescribed clopidogrel between 1996 and 2008 in Denmark (n = 77,503). Age- and gender matched controls (n = 232,510) were randomly selected from the background population. The study end-points were occurrence of stroke or TIA and occurrence of fracture. Clopidogrel use was primary exposure.

Results: Ischemic stroke increased risk of fracture by 50% while haemorrhagic stroke and TIA increased the risk by 30%. However, after adjusting for multiple confounders only patients with ischemic stroke and haemorrhagic stroke had increased fracture risk. Clopidogrel use was not associated with increased fracture risk in subjects with ischaemic stroke or TIA. In contrast, after adjusting for multiple confounders clopidogrel treatment was associated with a 10–35% reduced risk of fracture.

Conclusion: Patients with stroke have increased risk of osteoporotic fractures, but clopidogrel treatment does not increase fracture risk. In contrast, patients less adherent to the treatment have lower risk of fractures than non-users and patients with high adherence. However, based on the increased risk in stroke patients, clinicians should consider evaluation of bone status of these patients.

Vitamin K intake and the risk of fractures: A meta-analysis

The association between dietary vitamin K intake and the risk of fractures is controversial. Therefore we perform a meta-analysis of cohort or nested case-control studies to investigate the relationship between dietary vitamin K intake and the risk of fractures. A comprehensive search of PubMed and EMBASE (to July 11, 2016) was performed to identify cohort or nested case-control studies providing quantitative estimates between dietary vitamin K intake and the risk of fractures. Summary relative risk (RRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled by using a random-effects model. Four cohort studies and one nested case-control study, with a total of 1114 fractures cases and 80,982 participants, were included in our meta-analysis. Vitamin K intake in all included studies refers exclusively to the intake of phylloquinone (vitamin K1), which is the predominant form of vitamin K in foods. We observed a statistically significant inverse association between dietary vitamin K intake and risk of fractures (highest vs. the lowest intake, RR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.56-0.99; I = 59.2%, P for heterogeneity = .04). Dose-response analysis indicated that the pooled RR of fracture for an increase of 50 μg dietary vitamin K intake per day was 0.97 (95% CI: 0.95-0.99) without heterogeneity among studies (I = 25.9%, P for heterogeneity = .25). When stratified by follow-up duration, the RR of fracture for dietary vitamin K intake was 0.76 (95% CI: 0.58-0.93) in studies with more than 10 years of follow-up. Our study suggests that higher dietary vitamin K intake may moderately decrease the risk of fractures.

Stroke and Falls-Clash of the Two Titans in Geriatrics

Both stroke and falls are common conditions affecting the older adult. Despite stroke being considered a well-established major risk factor for falls, there remains no evidence for effective prevention strategies for falls specifically for stroke survivors. Previous observational studies evaluating falls risk factors in stroke have mainly been uncontrolled and found similar risk factors for stroke populations compared to general older populations. Specific risk factors, however, are likely to play a greater role in stroke survivors including unilateral weakness, hemisensory or visual neglect, impaired coordination, visual field defects, perceptual difficulties and cognitive issues. In addition, individuals with stroke are also more likely to have other associated risk factors for falls including diabetes, falls risk increasing drugs, atrial fibrillation, and other cardiovascular risk factors. While anticoagulation is associated with increased risk of intracranial bleeding after a fall, the risk of suffering a further stroke due to atrial fibrillation outweigh the risk of bleeding from a recurrent fall. Similarly, while blood pressure lowering medications may be linked to orthostatic hypotension which in turn increases the risk of falls, the benefit of good blood pressure control in terms of secondary stroke prevention outweighs the risk of falls. Until better evidence is available, the suggested management approach should then be based on local resources, and published evidence for fall prevention. Multicomponent exercise and individually tailored multifactorial interventions should still be considered as published evidence evaluating the above have included stroke patients in their study population.