Risk factors for subsequent hip fractures and fatality after an initial hip fracture in Korea: using nationwide claims data

Correlation between individual thigh muscle volume and grip strength in relation to sarcopenia with automated muscle segmentation

INTRODUCTION

Grip strength serves as a significant marker for diagnosing and assessing sarcopenia, particularly in elderly populations. The study aims to explore the relationship between individual thigh muscle volumes and grip strength, leveraging advanced AI-based UNETR segmentation techniques for accurate muscle volume assessment.

METHODS

The study included 49 participants from a cohort of 478 patients diagnosed with hip fractures at Gyeongsang National University Hospital. We recorded Grip strength and height and utilized UNETR-based segmentation techniques on CT scans, to calculate individual thigh muscle volumes. Point-biserial correlation was employed to explore the relationship between sarcopenia and thigh muscle volumes. The research also included a quantile analysis of grip strength.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed a strong statistical significance in specific thigh muscles like Rectus femoris, Vastus lateralis, and Vastus intermedius, particularly in males, in relation to sarcopenia. The male cohort displayed a trend where higher thigh muscle volumes correlated with better grip strengths. Meanwhile no such relationship was found within the female group.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that stronger grip strength correlates with larger thigh muscles in males but not in females, with specific muscles like the Rectus femoris and Vastus lateralis linked to sarcopenia in men only. The study's small sample size calls for further research with more diverse and gender-balanced groups to verify these results.

Risk of Fractures in Thyroid Cancer Patients With Postoperative Hypoparathyroidism: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Korea

Postoperative hypoparathyroidism (PO-hypoPT) is an uncommon complication of total thyroidectomy in thyroid cancer patients. Although long-term hypoPT causes characteristic changes in bone metabolism, the risk of fractures in hypoPT remains inconclusive. We investigated the risk of fractures in Korean thyroid cancer patients with PO-hypoPT. This was a retrospective cohort study using data from the Korea Central Cancer Registry and Korean National Health Insurance Service. We analyzed 115,821 thyroid cancer patients aged ≥18 years, who underwent total thyroidectomy between 2008 and 2016. The risk of any fractures, including vertebral, hip, humerus, and wrist fractures, according to parathyroid function after total thyroidectomy, was analyzed using the multivariable Cox proportional hazard model. The PO-hypoPT and preserved parathyroid function groups included 8789 (7.6%) and 107,032 (92.4%) patients, respectively. Over a mean follow-up duration of 4.8 years, 159 (1.8%) and 2390 (2.2%) fractures occurred in the PO-hypoPT and preserved parathyroid function groups, respectively. The risk of any fractures was significantly lower in the PO-hypoPT group than in the preserved parathyroid function group (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70-0.98; p = 0.037) after adjusting for confounders. Regarding the fracture site, only the risk of vertebral fractures was significantly lower in the PO-hypoPT group compared with the preserved parathyroid function group (HR = 0.67; 95% CI 0.47-0.96; p = 0.028) after adjusting for confounders. Subgroup analyses showed that bone mineral density measurements and calcium supplementation interacted with the relationship between PO-hypoPT and the risk of any fractures (p for interactions = 0.010 and 0.017, respectively). PO-hypoPT was associated with a lower risk of fractures in thyroid cancer patients, especially at the vertebra. The relatively low bone turnover caused by PO-hypoPT and appropriate management for PO-hypoPT with active vitamin D and calcium may prevent the deterioration of skeletal health in thyroid cancer patients who can easily be exposed to long-term overtreatment with levothyroxine. © 2023 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Mortality following fragility hip fracture in China: a record linkage study

Mortality risk declined over time. Patients with fragility hip fracture experienced an approximate ninefold excess mortality, peaking shortly after fracture, in comparison with that of the general population. Continuous efforts in lowering the occurrence of hip fracture have the potential to improve the survival of the elderly population in China.

PURPOSE

Hip fractures in older adults often lead to an elevated risk of death. However, few studies investigated mortality risk following hip fracture in mainland China. This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the crude mortality and excess mortality after fragility hip fractures in Lishui residents aged 50 years and older.

METHODS

Patients having a fragility hip fracture between October 2013 and August 2019 were identified from the Lishui District Inpatient Data Collection and followed up until August 2020. Death information was ascertained from the linked death registry records. We calculated the follow-up mortality rate and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as well as the standard mortality ratios (SMRs) in comparison with the mortality rates of Lishui residents.

RESULTS

During the study period, a total of 808 patients (63.4% females) with an average age of 75 years were admitted for fragility hip fractures. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year follow-up mortality rates were 16.51, 6.06, and 5.03 per 100 person-year, respectively. The SMRs were 8.46 (6.94, 9.97), 5.74 (4.86, 6.63), and 4.63 (3.98, 5.27) for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year following fragility hip fracture.

CONCLUSION

Although mortality risk declined over time, patients with fragility hip fracture experienced an approximate ninefold excess mortality, peaking shortly after fracture, in comparison with that of the general population. Continuous efforts in lowering the occurrence of hip fracture have the potential to improve the survival of the elderly population in China.

Risk of Contralateral Hip Fracture Following Initial Hip Fracture Among Geriatric Fragility Fracture Patients

BACKGROUND

Geriatric hip fractures are common and associated with high morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, timing, and risk factors of contralateral hip fracture after initial hip fracture.

METHODS

Initial hip fractures in patients older than 65 years were abstracted from the national, administrative M91Ortho PearlDiver data set. Incidence and timing of contralateral hip fractures in the following 10 years were identified. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis until contralateral hip fracture was conducted. To account for patient mortality over the later years, 2-year univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine factors predictive of contralateral hip fracture.

RESULTS

Of the initial 104,311 hip fractures identified, contralateral hip fracture in the 10 years that followed was identified for 7,186 (6.9%), of which 68.4% occurred in the first 2 years. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis until contralateral fracture revealed the 10-year incidence to be 12.9% when controlling for those lost from the data set during the study period. Multivariate logistic regression revealed independent predictors of contralateral hip fracture in the 2 years after index hip fracture, when the incidence was greatest, to be female sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.15), body mass index < 20 (OR 1.30), and percutaneous pinning surgery for initial hip fracture fixation (OR 1.58) (P < 0.0001 for each).

CONCLUSIONS

In a national cohort of 104,311 geriatric hip fractures, Kaplan-Meier analysis for contralateral hip fracture found the 10-year incidence to be 12.9%, of which nearly 70% were in the first 2 years, and predisposing factors were defined. As such, future research should aim to identify the cause and mitigate the risk of secondary contralateral hip fractures in geriatric patients.

The risk factors for subsequent fractures after distal radius fracture

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for subsequent fractures after distal radius fracture (DRF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 705 patients with DRF who performed dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry within six months before or after the DRF and followed more than 12 months. We identified patients with subsequent fractures and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted with demographic information, underlying disease status, and bone fragility parameters at the time of DRF to evaluate the risk factors for subsequent fractures.

RESULTS

Subsequent fractures occurred in 56 patients (7.9% of 705 patients) with 65 fractures at a mean time of 33.5 months after DRF. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age (OR 1.032; 95% CI, 1.001-1.064, p = 0.044), diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR 2.663; 95% CI, 1.429-4.963, p = 0.002) and previous fracture history (OR 1.917; 95% CI, 1.019-3.607, p = 0.043), and low total hip BMD (OR 1.410; 95% CI, 1.083-1.836, p = 0.011) were significant risk factors for the occurrence of subsequent fractures.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that older age, DM, previous fracture history and low hip BMD are the risk factors for subsequent fractures after DRF. Active glycemic control would have a role in patients with DM and a more aggressive treat-to-target approach may be necessary for patients with low BMDs to prevent subsequent fractures after DRF.

Quality improvement initiatives in the care and prevention of fragility fractures in the Asia Pacific region

This narrative review summarises ongoing challenges and progress in the care and prevention of fragility fractures across the Asia Pacific region since mid-2019. The approaches taken could inform development of national bone health improvement Road Maps to be implemented at scale during the United Nations 'Decade of Healthy Ageing'.

PURPOSE

This narrative review summarises recent studies that characterise the burden of fragility fractures, current care gaps and quality improvement initiatives intended to improve the care and prevention of fragility fractures across the Asia Pacific region.

METHODS

The review focuses on published studies, reports and quality improvement initiatives undertaken during the period July 2019 to May 2022.

RESULTS

Epidemiological studies conducted in countries and regions throughout Asia Pacific highlight the current and projected increasing burden of fragility fractures. Recent studies and reports document a persistent and pervasive post-fracture care gap among people who have sustained fragility fractures. Global initiatives developed by the Fragility Fracture Network and International Osteoporosis Foundation have gained significant momentum in the Asia Pacific region, despite the disruption caused by the COVID-pandemic. The Asia Pacific Fragility Fracture Alliance has developed educational resources including a Hip Fracture Registry Toolbox and a Primary Care Physician Education Toolkit. The Asia Pacific Osteoporosis and Fragility Fractures Society-a new section of the Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association-is working to engage orthopaedic surgeons across the region in the care and prevention of fragility fractures. The Asia Pacific Consortium on Osteoporosis developed a framework to support national clinical guidelines development groups. Considerable activity at the national level is evident in many countries across the region.

CONCLUSION

Development and implementation of national Road Maps informed by the findings of this review are urgently required to respond to the epidemiological emergency posed by fragility fractures during the United Nations 'Decade of Healthy Ageing'.

Incidence of hip fracture among middle-aged and older Chinese from 2013 to 2015: results from a nationally representative study

China is experiencing remarkable changes in people aging and migration. Therefore, the incidence and associated factors for hip fracture might differ from previous results. A nationally representative study of hip fracture enables policymakers to formulate preventive strategies and provide information on resource allocation.

PURPOSE

To estimate the incidence of hip fracture, between 2013 and 2015, among the middle-aged and older Chinese population.

METHODS

Individuals with hip fractures between 2013 and 2015 were identified from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. The sex-specific incidence and the associated factors of hip fracture were assessed.

RESULTS

Among 19,112 individuals (51.4% women; mean age 60.5 years) included in the analysis, 408 (2.13%) had a hip fracture between 2013 and 2015. Moreover, the annual incidence of hip fracture for men and women were 1065 and 1069 per 100,000, respectively. The incidence of hip fracture increased with age (p < 0.001). A history of chronic disease, being unmarried, and individuals without insurance were associated with a higher incidence of hip fracture. Interestingly, the incidence of hip fracture was higher among individuals with fewer years of education (p = 0.002). The North-East regions of China had the lowest incidence of hip fracture (1022 per 100,000) between 2013 and 2015, followed by the North (1602 per 100,000), South-Central (2055 per 100,000), East (2173 per 100,000), and South-West (2537 per 100,000) regions. Finally, the incidence was highest among participants living in the North-West region (3244 per 100,000).

CONCLUSION

Between 2013 and 2015, the incidence of hip fracture is high among the middle-aged and older Chinese population. Furthermore, it varied significantly according to sociodemographic and geographic factors. Therefore, the support of targeted health policies and cost-effective preventive strategies are warranted in China.

30-year trends of hip and vertebral fracture incidence in Japan: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

A previous review study showed the trends of declining age- and sex-adjusted incidence of hip fractures in almost all the countries, except Austria and Japan, in the most recent of the periods studied. However, the expansion of devices for diagnosis and drugs for fracture prevention in Japan was roughly the same as in the other countries. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analyses of incidence rates (IRs) of osteoporotic fractures reported over 30-years in multiple communities in Japan and to evaluate secular trends.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched MEDLINE for observational studies reporting IRs of osteoporotic fractures in the general population. Additional studies were identified by hand searches of reference lists of published studies. Two reviewers and 1 expert independently assessed study eligibility. Pooled analyses of IRs were conducted by a random-effect model. Data from 3 periods (1985-1999, 2000-2009, and from 2010) were compared.

RESULTS

Of 47 eligible studies, 21 with IRs or information enabling recalculation of IRs in the population aged 50 years and older were included. IRs of hip fractures per 100,000 person-years significantly increased over time in men: 1985-1999, 0.79 (95% CI 0.71-0.87); 2000-2009, 1.18 (95% CI 1.09-1.28); and 2010 onwards, 1.31 (95% CI 1.17-1.45). They also significantly increased in women: 2.23 (95% CI 1.89-2.58); 3.99 (95% CI 3.70-4.28); and 4.39 (95% CI 4.00-4.78), respectively.

CONCLUSION

IRs of hip fractures continuously increased in the past 30-years in men and women despite improved the diagnosis, treatment, and care. Such data from Japan, a leading aging society, provide important information for other countries.

Bibliometric analysis of global research trends on male osteoporosis: a neglected field deserves more attention

We analyzed the knowledge structure, current status, and future directions of 3243 publications on male osteoporosis by employing bibliometric analysis. Our results indicated that Osteoporosis International was the most influential journal in this field. And the study of epidemiology and risk factors has been recognized as a hot research topic in recent years. This study also calls for more attention to be given on male osteoporosis research.

INTRODUCTION

Male osteoporosis is increasing as a serious health problem worldwide with the aging of population. However, a comprehensive understanding of the current status and future trends in this field is lacking to date. The goal of the present study was to summarize and visualize the knowledge framework, research hotspots, and emerging trends of male osteoporosis research based on the bibliometric method.

METHODS

Scientific publications regarding male osteoporosis from 1998 to 2020 were downloaded from the SCIE database. VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and online bibliometric website were used for this study. The main analyses include cooperative relationships between countries/institutions/authors, co-citation analysis of authors/journals, and co-occurrence analysis of keywords/subject categories, as well as analyses on keyword/reference bursts.

RESULTS

A total of 3243 publications with 128,751 citations were identified. Despite experiencing a period of increase in the number of publications, incentives for conducting male osteoporosis research seem to have decreased during recent years. The USA has the most prominent contributions, as reflected by most publications and the highest H-index value. Oregon Health and Science University was the most prolific institution within this domain. The most influential academic journal was Osteoporosis International. Keywords were categorized into four clusters: basic research, epidemiology and risk factors, diagnostic studies, treatment and fracture prevention. Burst keyword detection suggested that the following research directions including "obesity," "zoledronic acid," "DXA," "inflammation," "fall," "microarchitecture," and "sarcopenia" remain research hotspots in the near future and deserve our further attention.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first bibliometric analysis that provides a comprehensive overview of male osteoporosis research, which may provide helpful references for investigators to further explore hot issues in this field.