Using pre-fracture mobility to augment prediction of post-operative outcomes in hip fracture

Pre-fracture functional status and 30-day recovery predict 5-year survival in patients with hip fracture: findings from a prospective real-world study

Disability overcomes mortality burden in older adults with hip fracture, expanding unhealthy lifespan. Building comprehensive assessment, pre-fracture functional status and 30-day post-surgical recovery are the most powerful predictors of 5-years survival. A tool supporting estimation of long-term survival may optimize the appropriate delivery of targeted interventions.

BACKGROUND

Older people with hip fractures are highly heterogeneous patients, impacting health and economic systems. The availability of tools to estimate survival may help optimize patients' outcomes and treatment management decisions.

METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted on older patients with hip fractures who received baseline and 30-day comprehensive assessment from discharge, focusing on functional status based on Basic Activity of Daily Living (BADL). The primary outcome was to identify predictors of 5-year survival and develop nomograms to be adopted at admission or 30 days after discharge.

RESULT

Among 231 hip fracture patients, 5-year survival was 38.3% in men and 61.9% in women; women experienced a 1.8 higher likelihood of survival than men. Pre-fracture functional status predicted mortality as a function of age. At hospital admission, pre-fracture BADL level was a protective factor (HR 0.742; 95% CI 0.668-0.825), while male gender (HR 1.840; 95% CI 1.192-2.841), age (HR 1.070; 95% CI 1.037-1.105), and multimorbidity (HR 1.096; 95% CI 1.007-1.193) were independent mortality risk factors. At the 30-day follow-up visit, the BADL recovery gap was an independent predictor of 5-year survival (HR 1.439; 95% CI 1.158-1.789), in addition to male gender (HR 1.773; 95% CI 1.146-2.744), age (HR 1.046; 95% CI 1.010-1.083), and pre-fracture BADL (HR 0.621; 95% CI 0.528-0.730), while comorbidity disappeared (HR 1.083; 95% CI 0.994-1.179).

CONCLUSION

More than half of hip fracture patients are still alive 5 years after surgical repair. Pre-fracture functional status and a 30-day functional recovery gap are the main predictors of survival. Nomograms may help to define prognosis and suitable interventions.

Association between markers of inflammation and outcomes after hip fracture surgery: analysis of routinely collected electronic healthcare data

BACKGROUND

Risk assessment tools such as the Nottingham Hip Fracture Score (NHFS) are crucial in guiding prognostic discussions and benchmarking in hip fracture care. These scores have scope to be improved, which may help identify higher-risk patients at admission. We investigated the role of inflammatory biomarkers, which are routinely collected at admission, in predicting post-operative outcomes following hip fracture. We subsequently combined these biomarkers with the NHFS to see if we could enhance risk prediction.

METHODS

We analysed data from patients admitted to a trauma unit with hip fracture between 2015 and 2020 who underwent operative management. National hip fracture database (NHFD) data, including the NHFS, were linked with admission biomarkers: albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR). Following univariate and multivariate analyses, the discrimination of the NHFS with and without each biomarker was assessed for 30-day mortality, length of stay (LOS), and failure to return home at 30 days.

RESULTS

We analysed 1039 patients, 719 (69.2%) were female and the mean age was 82.5 years (SD 8.1, range 60-104). In multivariate analysis, higher CRP was associated with higher 30-day mortality (odds ratio (OR) 1.23, 95%, confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.44, p = 0.013); higher albumin was associated with lower 30-day mortality (OR 0.86, 95%CI 0.81-0.91, p < 0.001). Independent predictors of not returning home at 30 days included albumin (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91-0.98) and NLR (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.14-1.81). NLR and MLR were significantly associated with prolonged LOS but not 30-day mortality. A composite variable of NHFS and albumin had better discrimination for 30-day mortality than NHFS alone (c-statistics 0.74, 95% CI 0.68-0.80 vs. 0.68, 95% CI 0.62-0.75, respectively). CRP, NLR and MLR did not improve discrimination for any outcome when added to NHFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Albumin, but not other markers of inflammation, enhances risk prediction after hip fracture when added to the NHFS. Routine recording of albumin at admission may have a future role in an enhanced risk scoring system for prognostication in hip fracture surgery.

Association between early sitting and functional mobility recovery after hip-fracture surgery in older patients: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Hip fractures significantly impact older adults, leading to compromised mobility and various adverse outcomes. The importance of early post-surgery mobilization in regaining pre-fracture levels of mobility is recognized, but lacks standardized definitions and implementation strategies. This study aimed to assess the impact of early sitting position 24 h after hip-fracture surgery on functional mobility recovery after 30 days using data from the Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry (RNFC).

METHODS

Prospective cohort study, including patients aged ≥ 75 years admitted for hip-fracture surgery between 2017 and 2020 at Sant Camil Residential Hospital. Data from the RNFC were analyzed, and linear regression models were developed to assess the association between early sitting after surgery (ESAS) and mobility recovery at 30 days after surgery.

RESULTS

Of 486 identified patients, 321 were included, with an estimated ESAS prevalence of 38.32% (95% CI: 32.97-43.88). ESAS was significantly associated with improved mobility recovery at 30 days. Multivariate regression models consistently revealed ESAS as a modest independent predictor of better post-surgery mobility. Factors such as age, cognitive capacity, and general health also impacted mobility recovery.

CONCLUSION

The ESAS effect, while modest, emerges as a significant predictor of hip mobility recovery among older patients with hip fractures 30 days after surgery. These findings underscore the potential of this low-risk, low-cost intervention in enhancing functional mobility recovery strategies and emphasize the need for further research to uncover its broader implications in post-operative care. Implementation of early sitting could be enhanced, as only a third of patients in our study underwent this simple intervention.

Prevalence of complications in older adults after hip fracture surgery : a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aims

Older adults with hip fractures are at high risk of experiencing complications after surgery, but estimates of the rate of specific complications vary by study design and follow-up period. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the prevalence of complications in older adults after hip fracture surgery.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and CENTRAL databases were searched from inception until 30 June 2023. Studies were included if they reported prevalence data of complications in an unselected, consecutive population of older adults (aged ≥ 60 years) undergoing hip fracture surgery.

Results

A total of 95 studies representing 2,521,300 patients were included. For surgery-specific complications, the 30-day prevalence of reoperation was 2.31%, surgical site infection 1.69%, and deep surgical site infection 0.98%; the 365-day prevalence of prosthesis dislocation was 1.11%, fixation failure 1.77%, and periprosthetic or peri-implant fracture 2.23%. For general complications, the 30-day prevalence of acute kidney injury was 1.21%, blood transfusion 25.55%, cerebrovascular accident 0.79%, lower respiratory tract infection 4.08%, myocardial infarction 1.98%, urinary tract infection 7.01%, and venous thromboembolism 2.15%.

Conclusion

Complications are prevalent in older adults who have had surgery for a hip fracture. Studies reporting complications after hip fracture surgery varied widely in terms of quality, and we advocate for the routine monitoring of complications in registries and clinical trials to improve the quality of evidence.

Feasibility, acceptability and prognostic value of muscle mass and strength measurement in patients with hip fracture: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Sarcopenia is diagnosed on the basis of low muscle strength, with low muscle mass used to confirm diagnosis. The added value of measuring muscle mass is unclear. We undertook a systematic review to assess whether muscle mass measurement in patients with hip fracture was acceptable, feasible and independently associated with adverse outcomes.

METHODS

Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Clinicaltrials.gov) were searched for studies of patients with hip fracture aged ≥ 60 with perioperative muscle mass or strength assessments. Associations with postoperative outcomes including death, length of stay and activities of daily living were extracted. Risk-of-bias was assessed using the AXIS and ROBINS-I tools. Due to the degree of study heterogeneity, data were analysed by narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

The search strategy identified 3317 records. 36 studies were included with 7860 participants. Acceptability of muscle mass measurement was not assessed, but measurement appeared feasible using biompedance, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography. Univariate analyses indicated that lower muscle mass was associated with higher death rates at 30 days, worse mobility, worse activity of daily living metrics and worse physical performance but there was no significant association with length of stay or postoperative complications. Four studies included both muscle mass and strength in multivariable analyses; muscle mass was a significant independent predictor of only one adverse outcome in a single study after adjustment for muscle strength and other predictor variables.

CONCLUSION

Current data suggest that muscle mass assessment offers no additional prognostic information to muscle strength measures in patients with hip fracture.

Systematic review of multivariable prognostic models for outcomes at least 30 days after hip fracture finds 18 mortality models but no nonmortality models warranting validation

OBJECTIVES

Prognostic models have the potential to aid clinical decision-making after hip fracture. This systematic review aimed to identify, critically appraise, and summarize multivariable prediction models for mortality or other long-term recovery outcomes occurring at least 30 days after hip fracture.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases were searched up to May 2023. Studies were included that aimed to develop multivariable models to make predictions for individuals at least 30 days after hip fracture. Risk of bias (ROB) was dual-assessed using the Prediction model Risk Of Bias ASsessment Tool. Study and model details were extracted and summarized.

RESULTS

From 5571 records, 80 eligible studies were identified. They predicted mortality in n = 55 studies/81 models and nonmortality outcomes (mobility, function, residence, medical, and surgical complications) in n = 30 studies/45 models. Most (n = 46; 58%) studies were published since 2020. A quarter of studies (n = 19; 24%) reported using 'machine-learning methods', while the remainder used logistic regression (n = 54; 68%) and other statistical methods (n = 11; 14%) to build models. Overall, 15 studies (19%) presented 18 low ROB models, all predicting mortality. Common concerns were sample size, missing data handling, inadequate internal validation, and calibration assessment. Many studies with nonmortality outcomes (n = 11; 37%) had clear data complexities that were not correctly modeled.

CONCLUSION

This review has comprehensively summarized and appraised multivariable prediction models for long-term outcomes after hip fracture. Only 15 studies of 55 predicting mortality were rated as low ROB, warranting further development of their models. All studies predicting nonmortality outcomes were high or unclear ROB. Careful consideration is required for both the methods used and justification for developing further nonmortality prediction models for this clinical population.

Goals of Care Discussions in Orthopaedic Surgery: Geriatric Hip Fractures

BACKGROUND

Due to the severity of hip fracture complications in the geriatric population, including major morbidity and mortality, it is crucial to establish treatment goals and manage expectations as a patient-centered multidisciplinary team. Goals of care (GOC) are personalized treatment programs designed to align with the individual patient's values and preferences. There is a paucity of literature on the topic of GOC discussions, especially regarding orthopaedic injuries. Therefore, this narrative review aims to provide an account of GOC discussions related to geriatric hip fractures.

METHODS

We reviewed articles published on GOC between 1978 and 2024. The articles were identified by searching PubMed and Google Scholar. We utilized the search terms GOC discussions and hip fracture, with additional descriptors including arthroplasty and geriatric.

RESULTS

There were 11 articles that met the selection criteria and were published between 1978 and 2024. Five articles were published on GOC discussions in orthopaedic surgery, while the remaining 6 articles were published in non-orthopaedic fields. There was one systematic review, 2 narrative reviews, 6 observational studies, and 2 descriptive studies. Supplemental commentary from non-orthopaedic specialties and the fields of law and medical ethics was included to assist in highlighting barriers to GOC discussions and to explore potential strategies to enhance GOC discussions.

CONCLUSIONS

Goals of care discussions provide a framework for treatment decisions based on an individual patient's values and cultural beliefs; however, these conversations may be limited by perceived time constraints, patient health care literacy, and physicians' misconceptions of what is most important to discuss. While no clear consensus was identified regarding strategies for improving GOC discussions in geriatric patients who have hip fractures, the authors recommend standardized training programs, expedited family meetings, multidisciplinary team involvement, assistive technology such as Outcome Prioritization Tool, and the incorporation of GOC discussions into institutional hip fracture pathways.

1 year mortality after hip fracture in an Irish urban trauma centre

BACKGROUND

Hip fracture accounts for a considerable burden of disease in older adults, yet there is a paucity of data pertaining to longer-term outcomes in the Irish Hip Fracture population. Understanding the factors that influence longer-term survival would allow care pathways to be refined to optimise patient outcomes. In Ireland, there is no linkage to death registration at a national or regional level, nor are longer-term outcomes captured by the Irish Hip Fracture Database. This study aimed to quantify 1-year mortality in an Irish hip fracture cohort and identify factors that influence survival at 1 year.

METHODS

A retrospective review of hip fracture cases in an Irish urban trauma centre over a 5-year period was conducted. Mortality status was obtained via the Inpatient Management System and correlated with the Irish Death Events Register. A range of routinely collected patient and care process variables were analysed using logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 833 patients were included. Within 1 year of sustaining a hip fracture, 20.5% (171/833) had died. On multivariate analysis, female gender (OR 0.36, p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.23-0.57), independent mobility pre-fracture (OR 0.24, p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.14-0.41) and early mobilisation on the day of or after surgery (OR 0.48, p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.30-0.77) reduced the likelihood of dying within 1 year (AUC 0.78).

CONCLUSION

Of the variables examined, early postoperative mobilisation was the only modifiable factor identified that conferred a longer-term survival benefit. This underscores the importance of adhering to international best practice standards for early postoperative mobilisation.