National Evaluation of Social Determinants of Health in Orthopedic Fracture Care: Decreased Social Determinants of Health Is Associated With Increased Adverse Complications After Surgery

Greater socioeconomic deprivation predicts worse functional status two years after orthopaedic surgery, but not magnitude of change from baseline

Background

The purpose of this study was to analyze if Area Deprivation Index (ADI), as a geography-based proxy for socioeconomic status (SES), is associated with differences in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) 2 years after outpatient orthopaedic surgery.

Methods

Patients undergoing outpatient orthopaedic surgery from June 2015 to November 2018 were administered Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and joint-specific surveys at baseline and 2 years postoperatively. ADI was computed from home address. Tests of association were used to characterize 2-year PROs dependence on ADI. This informed covariate selection for multivariable linear regression examined PRO change over 2 years with ADI in the context of other self-reported socioeconomic covariates.

Results

Enrollment was 2117 patients, 1483 (70 %) completed follow-up. Lower SES as measured by home address was associated with lower function and less improvement from baseline at 2 years postoperatively. This trend was most apparent in PROMIS instruments.

Conclusion

SES as approximated by ADI is associated with PROs at 2 years after outpatient orthopaedic surgery for a subset of PROs. ADI should be considered for inclusion in statistical models using an SES-sensitive PRO as an outcome, understanding that model performance may also depend on if a single value or change over time is being estimated.

Sociodemographic variables are rarely included in femoral neck fracture randomized controlled trials: A systematic review

Introduction

Sociodemographic factors may affect outcomes after surgery for patients with femoral neck fractures. The purpose of this study was to assess the inclusion of sociodemographic variables in high-impact randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to femoral neck fracture operative management.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and Medline were queried from January 1, 2017 to March 31, 2024 for RCTs pertaining to operative treatment of femoral neck fracture patients in high impact journals were included. The journal of publication, year of publication, and interventions assessed by the RCTs were extracted. Each RCT was assessed for inclusion of the following sociodemographic variables: age, sex/gender, body mass index (BMI)/weight, race/ethnicity, education level, insurance, smoking/tobacco use, socioeconomic status, marital status, alcohol use, English proficiency, geographic measures (i.e. proximity to hospital), employment status, and prefracture residence status. Temporal reporting trends were analyzed using Chi-square test.

Results

Of 1038 RCTs identified, 37 were included for analysis. All 37 studies reported age and sex/gender. BMI/weight was reported in 22 studies (59.5 %). Patients' prefracture residence status was reported in 11 studies (29.7 %). Smoking/tobacco use was reported in 9 studies (24.3 %). Race/ethnicity was reported in only 5 studies (13.5 %). Socioeconomic status, English proficiency, geographic measures, marital status, education level, insurance, and employment variables were all reported in less than 10 % of the analyzed RCTs. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the proportion of studies reporting at least one sociodemographic variable (excluding age, sex/gender, and BMI/weight) in 2017-2020 (10/22) versus 2021-2024 (8/15; p = 0.743).

Conclusion

Our analysis of high-impact RCTs revealed a large gap in the reporting of sociodemographic variables. RCTs relating to femoral neck fracture management should consistently report key sociodemographic variables to ensure generalizability of study findings.

Level of evidence

1.

Patients Undergoing Hip Arthroscopy for Acetabular Labral Treatment from Neighborhoods with Greater Socioeconomic Disadvantage Experience Worse Healthcare Accessibility, Inferior Mid-Term Functional Outcomes, and Similar Rates of Conversion to Total Hip Arthroplasty

PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantage on healthcare accessibility and mid-term functional outcomes for patients undergoing primary hip arthroscopy for the treatment of acetabular labral tears.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis queried patients ≥18 years old who underwent primary hip arthroscopy for treatment of symptomatic labral tears secondary to femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, had complete patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) at minimum 8-year follow-up, and resided in the United States. All patients underwent surgery between May 2001 and September 2013. Utilizing the Area Deprivation Index (ADI) to quantify neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantage, patients were divided into quartiles. Those in the least and most disadvantaged quartiles represented the ADILow and ADIHigh cohorts, respectively. Healthcare accessibility and socioeconomic disadvantage were compared between cohorts using rural, health professional shortage area (HPSA), medically underserved area/population (MUA/P), insurance status, education level, and household income classifications. Collected patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) included the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Hip Outcome Score (HOS)-Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL), HOS-Sports Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), Nonarthritic Hip Score (NAHS), 33-item International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-33), and rates of conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA).

RESULTS

The ADILow (ADI: 4.0±2.1) and ADIHigh (ADI: 37.7±12.1) cohorts each consisted of 43 patients. A greater proportion of ADIHigh patients resided in rural communities (P=0.026), primary care HPSAs (P=0.024), and MUA/Ps (P=0.019). At a patient level, the ADIHigh cohort had lower levels of insurance coverage (P=0.035), education (P=0.002), and household income (P=0.002). Finally, ADIHigh patients achieved worse functional outcome scores for mHHS (P=0.008), NAHS (P=0.043), HOS-ADL (P=0.020), and iHOT-33 (P=0.041). By multivariate logistic regression, ADIHigh patients were nearly 11.4 and 10.4 times less likely to achieve the 10-year patient acceptable symptom state for mHHS (OR, 0.09; P=0.008) and HOS-ADL (OR, 0.10; P=0.018), respectively. Despite having significantly worse PROMs, ADIHigh patients underwent statistically similar rates of revision hip arthroscopy (ADIHigh: 7.0% vs. ADILow: 4.7%; P=0.645) and conversion to THA (ADIHigh: 11.6% vs. ADILow: 20.9%; P=0.213).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for acetabular labral treatment from neighborhoods with greater ADI scores experience worse healthcare accessibility, inferior mid-term functional outcomes, and similar rates of conversion to THA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Retrospective Cohort; LOE 3.

A New Measure of Quantified Social Health Is Associated With Levels of Discomfort, Capability, and Mental and General Health Among Patients Seeking Musculoskeletal Specialty Care

BACKGROUND

A better understanding of the correlation between social health and mindsets, comfort, and capability could aid the design of individualized care models. However, currently available social health checklists are relatively lengthy, burdensome, and designed for descriptive screening purposes rather than quantitative assessment for clinical research, patient monitoring, or quality improvement. Alternatives such as area deprivation index are prone to overgeneralization, lack depth in regard to personal circumstances, and evolve rapidly with gentrification. To fill this void, we aimed to identify the underlying themes of social health and develop a new, personalized and quantitative social health measure.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

(1) What underlying themes of social health (factors) among a subset of items derived from available legacy checklists and questionnaires can be identified and quantified using a brief social health measure? (2) How much of the variation in levels of discomfort, capability, general health, feelings of distress, and unhelpful thoughts regarding symptoms is accounted for by quantified social health?

METHODS

In this two-stage, cross-sectional study among people seeking musculoskeletal specialty care in an urban area in the United States, all English and Spanish literate adults (ages 18 to 89 years) were invited to participate in two separate cohorts to help develop a provisional new measure of quantified social health. In a first stage (December 2021 to August 2022) , 291 patients rated a subset of items derived from commonly used social health checklists and questionnaires (Tool for Health and Resilience in Vulnerable Environments [THRIVE]; Protocol for Responding to and Assessing Patient Assets, Risks and Experiences [PRAPARE]; and Accountable Health Communities Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool [HRSN]), of whom 95% (275 of 291; 57% women; mean ± SD age 49 ± 16 years; 51% White, 33% Hispanic; 21% Spanish speaking; 38% completed high school or less) completed all items required to perform factor analysis and were included. Given that so few patients decline participation (estimated at < 5%), we did not track them. We then randomly parsed participants into (1) a learning cohort (69% [189 of 275]) used to identify underlying themes of social health and develop a new measure of quantified social health using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and (2) a validation cohort (31% [86 of 275]) used to test and internally validate the findings on data not used in its development. During the validation process, we found inconsistencies in the correlations of quantified social health with levels of discomfort and capability between the learning and validation cohort that could not be resolved or explained despite various sensitivity analyses. We therefore identified an additional cohort of 356 eligible patients (February 2023 to June 2023) to complete a new extended subset of items directed at financial security and social support (5 items from the initial stage and 11 new items derived from the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List, Financial Well-Being Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, and 6-item Social Support Questionnaire, and "I have to work multiple jobs in order to finance my life" was self-created), of whom 95% (338 of 356; 53% women; mean ± SD age 48 ± 16 years; 38% White, 48% Hispanic; 31% Spanish speaking; 47% completed high school or less) completed all items required to perform factor analysis and were included. We repeated factor analysis to identify the underlying themes of social health and then applied item response theory-based graded response modeling to identify the items that were best able to measure differences in social health (high item discrimination) with the lowest possible floor and ceiling effects (proportion of participants with lowest or highest possible score, respectively; a range of different item difficulties). We also assessed the CFA factor loadings (correlation of an individual item with the identified factor) and modification indices (parameters that suggest whether specific changes to the model would improve model fit appreciably). We then iteratively removed items based on low factor loadings (< 0.4, generally regarded as threshold for items to be considered stable) and high modification indices until model fit in CFA was acceptable (root mean square of error approximation [RMSEA] < 0.05). We then assessed local dependencies among the remaining items (strong relationships between items unrelated to the underlying factor) using Yen Q3 and aimed to combine only items with local dependencies of < 0.25. Because we exhausted our set of items, we were not able to address all local dependencies. Among the remaining items, we then repeated CFA to assess model fit (RMSEA) and used Cronbach alpha to assess internal consistency (the extent to which different subsets of the included items would provide the same measurement outcomes). We performed a differential item functioning analysis to assess whether certain items are rated discordantly based on differences in self-reported age, gender, race, or level of education, which can introduce bias. Last, we assessed the correlations of the new quantified social health measure with various self-reported sociodemographic characteristics (external validity) as well as level of discomfort, capability, general health, and mental health (clinical relevance) using bivariate and multivariable linear regression analyses.

RESULTS

We identified two factors representing financial security (11 items) and social support (5 items). After removing problematic items based on our prespecified protocol, we selected 5 items to address financial security (including "I am concerned that the money I have or will save won't last") and 4 items to address social support (including "There is a special person who is around when I am in need"). The selected items of the new quantified social health measure (Social Health Scale [SHS]) displayed good model fit in CFA (RMSEA 0.046, confirming adequate factor structure) and good internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.80 to 0.84), although there were some remaining local dependencies that could not be resolved by removing items because we exhausted our set of items. We found that more disadvantaged quantitative social health was moderately associated with various sociodemographic characteristics (self-reported Black race [regression coefficient (RC) 2.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29 to 4.9)], divorced [RC 2.5 (95% CI 0.23 to 4.8)], unemployed [RC 1.7 (95% CI 0.023 to 3.4)], uninsured [RC 3.5 (95% CI 0.33 to 6.7)], and earning less than USD 75,000 per year [RC 2.7 (95% CI 0.020 to 5.4) to 6.8 (95% CI 4.3 to 9.3)]), slightly with higher levels of discomfort (RC 0.055 [95% CI 0.16 to 0.093]), slightly with lower levels of capability (RC -0.19 [95% CI -0.34 to -0.035]), slightly with worse general health (RC 0.13 [95% CI 0.069 to 0.18]), moderately with higher levels of unhelpful thoughts (RC 0.17 [95% CI 0.13 to 0.22]), and moderately with greater feelings of distress (RC 0.23 [95% CI 0.19 to 0.28]).

CONCLUSION

A quantitative measure of social health with domains of financial security and social support had acceptable psychometric properties and seems clinically relevant given the associations with levels of discomfort, capability, and general health. It is important to mention that people with disadvantaged social health should not be further disadvantaged by using a quantitative measure of social health to screen or cherry pick in contexts of incentivized or mandated reporting, which could worsen inequities in access and care. Rather, one should consider disadvantaged social health and its associated stressors as one of several previously less considered and potentially modifiable aspects of comprehensive musculoskeletal health.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

A personalized, quantitative measure of social health would be useful to better capture and understand the role of social health in comprehensive musculoskeletal specialty care. The SHS can be used to measure the distinct contribution of social health to various aspects of musculoskeletal health to inform development of personalized, whole-person care pathways. Clinicians may also use the SHS to identify and monitor patients with disadvantaged social circumstances. This line of inquiry may benefit from additional research including a larger number of items focused on a broader range of social health to further develop the SHS.

Is Area-Level Social Vulnerability Index Associated With Patient-Level Health-Related Social Needs in Hand Surgery?

BACKGROUND

Social drivers of health (SDOH) are area-level, nonmedical factors that affect health outcomes. By contrast, health-related social needs (HRSNs) are individual patient reported and are being deployed in some payment models. SDOH are often used to broadly represent health disparities of communities through metrics, such as the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI); however, the association of area-level SVI to individual HRSNs has not been well studied in hand surgery, which has implications for addressing social risks to improve health and in quality measurement.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study of new patients presenting to an outpatient hand surgery clinic. Patients completed a questionnaire that included demographic information, zip code, the Accountable Health Communities HRSNs Screening Tool, and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH). Following completion of the survey, zip code was used to calculate SVI. Cohen kappa coefficients (k) were calculated to measure interrater agreement between SVI and HRSNs, SVI and QuickDASH, and HRSNs and QuickDASH.

RESULTS

We included 80 patients in the study. The most commonly reported HRSNs were safety (33, 41.25%) followed by housing (14, 17.5%) and food (11, 13.75%). Seven SVIs were represented across the cohort. No notable agreement was observed between SVI and HRSNs. In addition, no notable agreement was observed between SVI or HRSNs and QuickDASH score.

CONCLUSION

Although the importance of identifying SDOH is growing, the ability of these area-level measures to accurately reflect individual HRSNs is not well understood. HRSNs may represent an opportunity for patient-centered assessments of needs and to guide resource deployment to improve outcomes for hand surgery patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II prognostic study.

The impact of social deprivation on rotator cuff repair outcomes

BACKGROUND

Rotator cuff tears are a common orthopedic injury, and the role of social determinants of health (SDoH) in surgical outcomes remains underexplored. The goal of this study was to investigate the correlation between social deprivation, measured by the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), and outcomes following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review on patients undergoing primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repair at a level 1 academic center between 2006 and 2019. Patient demographics (age, gender, race), comorbidities, ADIs, range of motion, visual analog pain scores, and patient-reported outcomes (Simple Shoulder Test [SST], American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form [ASES], and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire [QuickDASH]) were collected. Patients were stratified into terciles based on their relative level of deprivation. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance, t tests, χ2 tests, and univariate or multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 322 patients were included in this study. The most deprived group had a higher prevalence of diabetes compared to the least and intermediately deprived group (P < .001). Massive tear occurrence was greater in the least deprived group (P = .003) compared to the most deprived group. There was no difference in objective outcomes between groups. Patient-reported outcomes (SST, ASES, and QuickDASH scores) were worse in the most deprived group compared with the least and intermediate deprived groups.

CONCLUSION

Social deprivation significantly affects patient-reported outcomes in rotator cuff repair surgery. Although clinician-reported outcomes were consistent, patients' perceptions varied based on social determinants. Integrating SDoH considerations in orthopedic care is a promising next step in securing equitable approaches. However, more research is needed to validate and expand these findings.

Socioeconomic area deprivation index is not associated with postoperative complications following revision total hip and knee joint arthroplasty

Introduction

Revision hip and knee total joint arthroplasty (TJA) carries a high burden of postoperative complications, including surgical site infections (SSI), venous thromboembolism (VTE), reoperation, and readmission, which negatively affect postoperative outcomes and patient satisfaction. Socioeconomic area-level composite indices such as the area deprivation index (ADI) are increasingly important measures of social determinants of health (SDoH). This study aims to determine the potential association between ADI and SSI, VTE, reoperation, and readmission occurrence 90 days following revision TJA.

Methods

1047 consecutive revision TJA patients were retrospectively reviewed. Complications, including SSI, VTE, reoperation, and readmission, were combined into one dependent variable. ADI rankings were extracted using residential zip codes and categorized into quartiles. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to analyze the association of ADI as an independent factor for complication following revision TJA.

Results

Depression (p = 0.034) and high ASA score (p < 0.001) were associated with higher odds of a combined complication postoperatively on univariate logistic regression. ADI was not associated with the occurrence of any of the complications recorded following surgery (p = 0.092). ASA remained an independent risk factor for developing postoperative complications on multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

An ASA score of 3 or higher was significantly associated with higher odds of developing postoperative complications. Our findings suggest that ADI alone may not be a sufficient tool for predicting postoperative outcomes following revision TJA, and other area-level indices should be further investigated as potential markers of social determinants of health.

Trends and predictors of reporting social determinants of health in shoulder surgery

Background

The role of social determinants of health (SDH) in patient outcomes, quality of life, and overall well-being has been well documented. However, the inclusion of these variables in randomized control trials (RCTs) remains limited; thus, the extent of generalizability from such trials is brought into question. The purpose of this study is to explore the rates of reporting SDH variables in RCTs focused on shoulder surgery from the past decade.

Methods

The PubMed database was searched for RCTs with a focus on shoulder surgery from 2013 to 2023. Duplicates, responses to the editor, biomechanical studies, and nonshoulder studies were excluded. Each article was reviewed and data pertaining to patient demographics and socioeconomic covariates. Journal of publication was recorded, and studies from the 5 most common journals were analyzed. These journals were the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, the American Journal of Sports Medicine (AJSM), the Bone and Joint Journal, and the Journal of the American Medical Association. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the independent effect of study characteristics on the reporting rates of SDH.

Results

A total of 255 articles were reviewed. Of these, 93.3% and 90.2% of articles reviewed reported age and sex, respectively. Employment status was reported in 11.8% of articles. Less than 10% reported race, ethnicity, income, insurance, and housing, with even less performing formal analyses on these variables. Studies that were conducted in the United States, multicenter, had a sample size of 251+, and had a combination of public and private funding which were significantly more likely to report on race and ethnicity. Reporting employment status was significantly associated with being European-based, multicenter, sample size 251+, double-blinded, and published in AJSM. Newer studies were significantly less likely to report education. Only publication in AJSM was significant for reporting income. Study intervention and topic were not significant for any SDH reporting.

Discussion

These data reflect how small of a proportion of RCTs report and analyze on SDH variables. These findings reflect a need for future RCTs to accurately report SDH variables that influence outcomes, such as race, ethnicity, education, employment, income, housing status, and insurance. SDH are infrequently reported and analyzed in RCTs pertaining to shoulder surgery. Academic medical journals should incorporate guidelines to encourage studies to include such variables and enable the assessment of outcomes to apply to a broader population.

The Child Opportunity Index and Outcomes After Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background

Research at the intersection between social determinants of health (SDOH) and orthopaedics remains an area of active exploration, with recent literature demonstrating significant disparities in a wide array of orthopaedic outcomes in patients with different SDOH.

Purpose/Hypothesis

The purpose of this study was to use a validated composite measure of SDOH mapped to census tracts (Child Opportunity Index [COI]) to explore disparities in functional outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. It was hypothesized that patients with a lower COI score would have delayed surgical care and worse functional outcomes after ACL reconstruction.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

Demographic, surgical, and functional outcomes data were extracted for all patients aged ≤18 years who underwent primary ACL reconstruction at our institution between 2009 and 2019. Strength deficits were calculated, and COI quintile scores were obtained. One-way analysis of variance, the chi-square test, and the Fisher exact test were used to compare variables of interest between the lower 2 quintiles (low group) and the upper 2 quintiles (high group).

Results

Of the 1027 patients, 226 (22.0%) were in the low group, while 801 (78.0%) were in the high group. There was a significantly greater time from injury to surgery in the low group than in the high group (98.15 ± 102.65 vs 71.79 ± 101.88 days, respectively; P < .001). The low group had a significantly lower extension-flexion range of motion at 1- and 3-month follow-up (P = .03 and P = .02, respectively) but no difference at 6-month follow-up (P = .27). The low group attended fewer physical therapy visits than the high group (24.82 ± 10.55 vs 37.81 ± 18.07, respectively; P < .001). The low group had significant deficits in quadriceps strength at 3, 6, and 9 months at 180 deg/s (P = .03, P < .001, and P = .01, respectively) and at 6 months at 300 deg/s (P = .002).

Conclusion

In this study, we found that the COI was associated with disparities in key clinical outcomes including time to surgery, postoperative range of motion, and postoperative strength.

The Association Between Social Determinants of Health and Distal Radius Fracture Outcomes

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine if adverse social determinants of health (SDOH) are associated with differential complication rates following surgical fixation of distal radius fractures and assess which SDOH domain (economic, educational, social, health care, or environmental) is most associated with postoperative complications.

METHODS

Using a national administrative claims database, we conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of patients undergoing open treatment for an isolated distal radius fracture between 2010 and 2020. Patients were stratified based on the presence/absence of at least one SDOH code and propensity score matched to create two cohorts balanced by age, sex (male or female), insurance type, and comorbidities. Social determinants of health examined included economic, educational, social, health care, and environmental factors. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the isolated effect of SDOH on 90-day and 1-year complication rates.

RESULTS

After propensity matching, 57,025 patients in the adverse SDOH cohort and 57,025 patients in the control cohort were included. Patients facing an adverse SDOH were significantly more likely to experience 90-day complications, including emergency department visits (Odds ratio (OR): 3.18 [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.07-3.29]), infection (OR: 2.37 [95% CI: 2.12-2.66]), wound dehiscence (OR: 2.06 [95% CI: 1.72-2.49]), and 1-year complications, including complex regional pain syndrome (OR: 1.35 [95% CI: 1.15-1.58]), malunion/nonunion (OR: 1.18 [95% CI: 1.08-1.29]), and hardware removal (OR: 1.13 [95% CI: 1.07-1.20]). Additionally, patients facing an adverse SDOH had a significantly increased risk of 90-day complications, regardless of fracture severity, and patients with economic and social challenges had the highest odds of both 90-day and 1-year postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Social determinants of health are associated with increased complications following distal radius fracture fixation, even when controlling for demographic and clinical factors. We recommend routine screening for adverse SDOH and inclusion of SDOH data into health records to not only inform quality improvement initiatives and risk adjustment for outcome-based quality measurements but also to allow providers to begin to discuss and address such barriers during the perioperative period.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognosis II.

Social Determinants of Health Disparities Increase 5-Year Revision Rates but Not Postoperative Complications After Primary Hip Arthroscopy

PURPOSE

To investigate the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) disparities on 30-day emergency department (ED) visits, 90-day postoperative complications, and 5-year secondary surgery rates after primary hip arthroscopy using a large national database.

METHODS

A national administrative claims database was used to identify patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopy with femoroplasty, acetabuloplasty, and/or labral repair between 2015 and 2022. Queries were performed to identify patients who experienced any SDOH disparities, including economic, educational, environmental, or social disparities; those experiencing SDOH disparities within 1 year prior to primary hip arthroscopy were matched 1:1 by age, sex, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index score, diabetes, obesity, and tobacco use to patients not experiencing any lifetime SDOH disparities. The odds of 90-day complications and 30-day ED visits were compared using multivariable logistic regression. Rates of 5-year revision hip arthroscopy and of any secondary surgery (revision hip arthroscopy or total hip arthroplasty) were compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 3,383 primary hip arthroscopy patients who experienced SDOH disparities were matched 1:1 to a control cohort of 3,383 patients who did not experience SDOH disparities (age of 41.0 years and 79.6% female sex in both cohorts). The odds of adverse events after arthroscopy were low and did not differ between the SDOH cohort (1.51%) and no-SDOH cohort (1.57%, P = .09). Additionally, there was no difference in the odds of 30-day ED visits between the SDOH cohort (5.65%) and no-SDOH cohort (4.79%, P = .10). The rate of 5-year revision hip arthroscopy was significantly greater among patients experiencing SDOH disparities (5.4% vs 4.1%, P = .02); however, there was no difference in the rate of any secondary surgery between cohorts (11.8% vs 10.4%, P = .10).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients experiencing SDOH disparities had similar odds of postoperative complications and ED visits after primary hip arthroscopy but greater rates of 5-year revision hip arthroscopy compared with a matched-control cohort of patients not experiencing SDOH disparities.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective case-control study.

The Influence of Patient Characteristics and Social Determinants of Health on Postoperative Complications Following Achilles Tendon Rupture

BACKGROUND

The influence of social determinants of health (SDH) on postoperative complications has been investigated in several studies, although correlation with Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) repair remains uninvestigated. SDH encompasses several factors, including insurance status and area-based measurements, including the Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), which ranks neighborhoods by social disadvantage. This study investigated the correlation between patient demographics, SDH, and complications following ATR repair.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 521 patients who presented with acute ATR and met the inclusion criteria, including age ≥18 years, a minimum of 30-day follow-up, and repair within 28 days of rupture. We reviewed patient demographics, time to surgery (TTS), and postoperative complications, including venous thromboembolism (VTE), rerupture, surgical site infection (SSI), wound dehiscence, and sural nerve injury. SDH variables included race, smoking status, insurance status, level of education, ADI, and SVI. Univariate regression tested the correlation between complications and SDH indicators. Significant variables (P < .05) were included in a multivariate regression.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight complications occurred in 59 patients (11.3%). Multivariate regression showed that a higher ADI, that is, socially deprived individuals, was associated with lower rates of VTE (OR = 0.41, P = .04). Higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with rerupture (OR = 8.73, P < .01). Male patients had lower rates of wound dehiscence (OR = 0.31, P = .03) and VTE (OR = 0.32, P = .02) compared with women. Longer TTS correlated with sural nerve injuries (OR = 2.23, P < .01) and shorter TTS with reruptures (OR = 0.02, P = .02).

CONCLUSION

Some measures of SDH were associated with postoperative complications. Gender also may have an effect, with male sex associated with lower rates of wound dehiscence and VTE. BMI was associated with higher rates of reruptures and overall general complications.

A novel hyperparameter search approach for accuracy and simplicity in disease prediction risk scoring

OBJECTIVE

Develop a novel technique to identify an optimal number of regression units corresponding to a single risk point, while creating risk scoring systems from logistic regression-based disease predictive models. The optimal value of this hyperparameter balances simplicity and accuracy, yielding risk scores of small scale and high accuracy for patient risk stratification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The proposed technique applies an adapted line search across all potential hyperparameter values. Additionally, DeLong test is integrated to ensure the selected value produces an accuracy insignificantly different from the best achievable risk score accuracy. We assessed the approach through two case studies predicting diabetic retinopathy (DR) within six months and hip fracture readmissions (HFR) within 30 days, involving cohorts of 90 400 diabetic patients and 18 065 hip fracture patients.

RESULTS

Our scores achieve accuracies insignificantly different from those obtained by existing approaches, reaching AUROCs of 0.803 and 0.645 for DR and HFR predictions, respectively. Regarding the scale, our scores ranged 0-53 for DR and 0-15 for HFR, while scores produced by existing methods frequently spanned hundreds or thousands.

DISCUSSION

According to the assessment, our risk scores offer simple and accurate predictions for diseases. Furthermore, our new DR score provides a competitive alternative to state-of-the-art risk scores for DR, while our HFR case study presents the first risk score for this condition.

CONCLUSION

Our technique offers a generalizable framework for crafting precise risk scores of compact scales, addressing the demand for user-friendly and effective risk stratification tool in healthcare.

The effects of social determinants of health on rotator cuff repair utilization and outcomes: a systematic review

Background

Since various social determinants of health (SDOH) have the potential to impact the utilization and postoperative outcomes of rotator cuff repair (RCR), a review of the literature is warranted. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of SDOH on RCR utilization and postoperative outcomes in order to recognize external factors that may influence patients' access to RCR and optimal clinical outcomes.

Methods

Search terms related to RCR, utilization, outcomes, and SDOH were used to identify studies that reported associations between any SDOH (as defined by the World Health Organization) and RCR utilization, access, cost, or postoperative outcomes. Articles that did not isolate RCR or did not evaluate an SDOH were excluded. Nonrandomized studies were evaluated for study quality using the Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies score. Due to the heterogeneity of the reported data, only qualitative analysis was possible.

Results

Overall, 842 articles were considered for inclusion and 14 studies were included in qualitative analysis. The average Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies score of included studies was 14.1 ± 5.0. The SDOH most frequently evaluated were insurance status and race/ethnicity. Non-White race is associated with lower odds of surgery and physical therapy (PT) utilization, as well as delayed treatment. Similarly, public insurance is associated with lower PT and surgery utilization rates and decreased acceptance for postoperative PT. Postoperatively, public insurance is associated with worse patient-reported outcome scores and lower return to work rates.

Conclusion

Various SDOH can influence access, utilization, and outcomes of RCR. Orthopedic surgeons should be aware of how factors of race and insurance type can influence a patient's treatment and recovery after RCR.

Ankle fracture surgery in patients experiencing homelessness: a national evaluation of one-year rates of reoperation

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of homelessness on surgical outcomes following ankle fracture surgery.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Mariner claims database.

Patients/Participants

Patients older than 18 years who underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of ankle fractures between 2010 and 2021. A total of 345,759 patients were included in the study.

Intervention

Study patients were divided into two cohorts (homeless and nonhomeless) based on whether their patient record contained International Classification of Disease (ICD)-9 or ICD-10 codes for homelessness/inadequate housing.

Main Outcome Measures

One-year rates of reoperation for amputation, irrigation and debridement, repeat ORIF, repair of nonunion/malunion, and implant removal in isolation.

Results

Homeless patients had significantly higher odds of undergoing amputation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-2.27, P = 0.014), irrigation and debridement (aOR 1.22, 95% CI 1.08-1.37, P < 0.001), and repeat ORIF (aOR 1.16, 95% CI 1.00-1.35, P = 0.045). Implant removal was less common in homeless patients (aOR 0.65, 95% CI 0.59-0.72, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between homeless and nonhomeless patients in the rate of nonunion/malunion repair (aOR 0.87, 95% CI 0.63-1.18, P = 0.41).

Conclusions

Homelessness is a significant risk factor for worse surgical outcomes following ankle fracture surgery. The findings of this study warrant future research to identify gaps in surgical fracture care for patients with housing insecurity and underscore the importance of developing interventions to advance health equity for this vulnerable patient population.

Level of Evidence

Prognostic Level III.

The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Task Force on clinical algorithms for fracture risk report

Using race and ethnicity in clinical algorithms potentially contributes to health inequities. The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) Professional Practice Committee convened the ASBMR Task Force on Clinical Algorithms for Fracture Risk to determine the impact of race and ethnicity adjustment in the US Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (US-FRAX). The Task Force engaged the University of Minnesota Evidence-based Practice Core to conduct a systematic review investigating the performance of US-FRAX for predicting incident fractures over 10 years in Asian, Black, Hispanic, and White individuals. Six studies from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) and Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF) were eligible; cohorts only included women and were predominantly White (WHI > 80% and SOF > 99%), data were not consistently stratified by race and ethnicity, and when stratified there were far fewer fractures in Black and Hispanic women vs White women rendering area under the curve (AUC) estimates less stable. In the younger WHI cohort (n = 64 739), US-FRAX without bone mineral density (BMD) had limited discrimination for major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) (AUC 0.53 (Black), 0.57 (Hispanic), and 0.57 (White)); somewhat better discrimination for hip fracture in White women only (AUC 0.54 (Black), 0.53 (Hispanic), and 0.66 (White)). In a subset of the older WHI cohort (n = 23 918), US-FRAX without BMD overestimated MOF. The Task Force concluded that there is little justification for estimating fracture risk while incorporating race and ethnicity adjustments and recommends that fracture prediction models not include race or ethnicity adjustment but instead be population-based and reflective of US demographics, and inclusive of key clinical, behavioral, and social determinants (where applicable). Research cohorts should be representative vis-à-vis race, ethnicity, gender, and age. There should be standardized collection of race and ethnicity; collection of social determinants of health to investigate impact on fracture risk; and measurement of fracture rates and BMD in cohorts inclusive of those historically underrepresented in osteoporosis research.

Disparities Exist in the Experience of Financial Burden Among Orthopedic Trauma Patients: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There are substantial costs associated with orthopedic injury and management. These costs are likely not experienced equally among patients. At the level of the healthcare and hospital systems, disparities in financial burden and patient demographics have already been identified among orthopedic trauma patients. Accordingly, disparities may also arise at the level of the patient and how they experience the cost of their care. We sought to determine (1) how patient demographics are associated with financial burden/toxicity and (2) if patients experience disproportionate financial burden/toxicity and social support secondary to their economic standing.

RECENT FINDINGS

It has been described that there is an inequitable experience in clinical and economic outcomes in certain socioeconomic demographics leading to disparities in financial burden. It has been further reported that orthopedic injury, management, and outcomes are not experienced equitably among all demographic and socioeconomic groups. Ten articles met inclusion criteria, among which financial burden was disproportionately experienced amid orthopedic trauma patients across age, gender, race, education, and marital status. Financial hardship was also unequally distributed among different levels of income, employment, insurance status, and social deprivation. Younger, female, non-White, and unmarried patients experience increased financial burden. Patients with less education, lower income, limited or no insurance, and greater social deprivation disproportionately experienced financial toxicity compared to patients of improved economic standing. Further investigation into policy changes, social support, and barriers to appropriate care should be addressed to prevent unnecessary financial burden and promote greater patient welfare.

The Effect of Socioeconomic Deprivation on Radiographic Deformities in Children With Blount Disease

BACKGROUND

Blount disease can occur at any time during the growth process, primarily with a bimodal distribution in children younger than 4 years old and adolescents. The disease process most commonly presents in Black adolescents, with disease severity positively correlated with obesity. Given the known associations among race, obesity, and socioeconomic status, we investigated the relationship between the degree of social deprivation and severity of lower extremity deformities among a community-based cohort with Blount disease.

METHODS

A retrospective review of hospital records and radiographs of patients with previously untreated Blount disease was conducted. Patients were classified as having early-onset or late-onset Blount disease based on whether the lower limb deformity was noted before or after the age of 4 years. The area deprivation index (ADI), a nationally validated measure that assesses socioeconomic deprivation by residential neighborhood, was calculated for each patient as a surrogate for socioeconomic status. Higher state (range: 1 to 10) or national (range: 1 to 100) ADI corresponds to increased social deprivation. Full-length standing radiographs from index clinic visits were evaluated by 2 reviewers to measure frontal plane deformity. The association of ADI with various demographic and radiographic parameters was then analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 65 patients with Blount disease, 48 (74%) children were Black and 17 (26%) were non-black children. Nineteen children (32 limbs) had early-onset and 46 children (62 limbs) had late-onset disease. Black patients had significantly higher mean state (7.6 vs. 5.4, P =0.009) and national (55.1 vs. 37.4, P =0.002) ADI values than non-black patients. Patients with severe socioeconomic deprivation had significantly greater mechanical axis deviation (66 mm vs. 51 mm, P =0.008). After controlling demographic and socioeconomic factors, the results of multivariate linear regression showed that only increased body mass index (β=0.19, 95% CI: 0.12-0.26, P <.001) and state ADI (β=0.021, 95% CI: 0.01-0.53, P =.043) were independently associated with greater varus deformity.

CONCLUSIONS

Socioeconomic deprivation was strongly associated with increased severity of varus deformity in children with late-onset Blount disease. Our analysis suggests that obesity and socioeconomic factors are the most influential with regard to disease progression.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Are Commonly Used Geographically Based Social Determinant of Health Indices in Orthopaedic Surgery Research Correlated With Each Other and With PROMIS Global-10 Physical and Mental Health Scores?

BACKGROUND

Geographically based social determinants of health (SDoH) measures are useful in research and policy aimed at addressing health disparities. In the United States, the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), Neighborhood Stress Score (NSS), and Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) are frequently used, but often without a clear reason as to why one is chosen over another. There is limited evidence about how strongly correlated these geographically based SDoH measures are with one another. Further, there is a paucity of research examining their relationship with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in orthopaedic patients. Such insights are important in order to determine whether comparisons of policies and care programs using different geographically based SDoH indices to address health disparities in orthopaedic surgery are appropriate.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

Among new patients seeking care at an orthopaedic surgery clinic, (1) what is the correlation of the NSS, ADI, and SVI with one another? (2) What is the correlation of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global-10 physical and mental health scores and the NSS, ADI, and SVI? (3) Which geographically based SDoH index or indices are associated with presenting PROMIS Global-10 physical and mental health scores when accounting for common patient-level sociodemographic factors?

METHODS

New adult orthopaedic patient encounters at clinic sites affiliated with a tertiary referral academic medical center between 2016 and 2021 were identified, and the ADI, NSS, and SVI were determined. Patients also completed the PROMIS Global-10 questionnaire as part of routine care. Overall, a total of 75,335 new patient visits were noted. Of these, 62% (46,966 of 75,335) of new patient visits were excluded because of missing PROMIS Global-10 physical and mental health scores. An additional 2.2% of patients (1685 of 75,335) were excluded because they were missing at least one SDoH index at the time of their visit (for example, if a patient only had a Post Office box listed, the SDoH index could not be determined). This left 35% of the eligible new patient visits (26,684 of 75,335) in our final sample. Though only 35% of possible new patient visits were included, the diversity of these individuals across numerous characteristics and the wide range of sociodemographic status-as measured by the SDoH indices-among included patients supports the generalizability of our sample. The mean age of patients in our sample was 55 ± 18 years and a slight majority were women (54% [14,366 of 26,684]). Among the sample, 16% (4381of 26,684) of patients were of non-White race. The mean PROMIS Global-10 physical and mental health scores were 43.4 ± 9.4 and 49.7 ± 10.1, respectively. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated among the three SDoH indices and between each SDoH index and PROMIS Global-10 physical and mental health scores. In addition, regression analysis was used to assess the association of each SDoH index with presenting functional and mental health, accounting for key patient characteristics. The strength of the association between each SDoH index and PROMIS Global-10 physical and mental health scores was determined using partial r-squared values. Significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

There was a poor correlation between the ADI and the NSS (ρ = 0.34; p < 0.001). There were good correlations between the ADI and SVI (ρ = 0.43; p < 0.001) and between the NSS and SVI (ρ = 0.59; p < 0.001). There was a poor correlation between the PROMIS Global-10 physical health and NSS (ρ = -0.14; p < 0.001), ADI (ρ = -0.24; p < 0.001), and SVI (ρ = -0.17; p < 0.001). There was a poor correlation between PROMIS Global-10 mental health and NSS (ρ = -0.13; p < 0.001), ADI (ρ = -0.22; p < 0.001), and SVI (ρ = -0.17; p < 0.001). When accounting for key sociodemographic factors, the ADI demonstrated the largest association with presenting physical health (regression coefficient: -0.13 [95% CI -0.14 to -0.12]; p < 0.001) and mental health (regression coefficient: -0.13 [95% CI -0.14 to -0.12]; p < 0.001), as confirmed by the partial r-squared values for each SDoH index (physical health: ADI 0.04 versus SVI 0.02 versus NSS 0.01; mental health: ADI 0.04 versus SVI 0.02 versus NSS 0.01). This finding means that as social deprivation increases, physical and mental health scores decrease, representing poorer health. For further context, an increase in ADI score by approximately 36 and 39 suggests a clinically meaningful (determined using distribution-based minimum clinically important difference estimates of one-half SD of each PROMIS score) worsening of physical and mental health, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Orthopaedic surgeons, policy makers, and other stakeholders looking to address SDoH factors to help alleviate disparities in musculoskeletal care should try to avoid interchanging the ADI, SVI, and NSS. Because the ADI has the largest association between any of the geographically based SDoH indices and presenting physical and mental health, it may allow for easier clinical and policy application.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

We suggest using the ADI as the geographically based SDoH index in orthopaedic surgery in the United States. Further, we caution against comparing findings in one study that use one geographically based SDoH index to another study's findings that incorporates another geographically based SDoH index. Although the general findings may be the same, the strength of association and clinical relevance could differ and have policy ramifications that are not otherwise appreciated; however, the degree to which this may be true is an area for future inquiry.

Social determinants of health disparities impact postoperative complications in patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Understanding the role of social determinants of health disparities (SDHDs) in surgical outcomes can better prepare providers to improve postoperative care. In this study, we use International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes to identify SDHDs and investigate the risk of postoperative complication rates among patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using a national insurance claims database. Using ICD and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, patients who underwent primary TSA with at least 2 years of follow-up in the database were identified. Patients with a history of SDHDs were identified using appropriate ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes. Patients were grouped in one of 2 cohorts: (1) patients with no history of SDHDs (control) and (2) patients with a history of SDHDs (SDHD group) prior to TSA. The SDHD and control groups were matched 1:1 for comorbidities and demographics prior to conducting multivariable analysis for 90-day medical complications and 2-year surgical complications.

RESULTS

After matching, there were 8023 patients in the SDHD group and 8023 patients in the control group. The SDHD group had significantly higher odds for 90-day medical complications including heart failure, cerebrovascular accident, renal failure, deep vein thrombosis, pneumonia, sepsis, and urinary tract infection. Additionally, the SDHD group had significantly higher odds for revision surgery within 2 years following TSA. Patients in the SDHD group also had a significantly longer length of hospital stay following TSA.

DISCUSSION

This study highlights the association between SDHDs and postoperative complications following TSA. Quantifying the risk of complications and differences in length of stay for TSA patients with a history of SDHDs is important in determining value-based payment models and risk stratifying to optimize patient care.

The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on the Treatment of Distal Radius Fracture

BACKGROUND

Disparities in social determinants of health (SDH) have been shown to play an increasingly important role in the equitable delivery of health care. Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are among the most common upper-extremity injuries encountered. This study aims to examine the influence of economic, educational, social, environmental, and healthcare disparities on management of these injuries.

METHODS

PearlDiver Mariner insurance claims database was analyzed for treatment patterns of DRF in patients aged 18 to 65 years based on the presence or absence of social determinants of health disparities (SDHDs). Outcome variables included the primary mode of management of DRF, including operative versus non-operative, as well as concomitant procedures. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compare fracture management modality in patients with and without SDHDs.

RESULTS

Of 161 704 patients identified with DRF, 38.3% had at least 1 reported SDHD. The majority of SDHDs were economic. Patients identified with 1 or more SDHDs had a higher medical comorbidity index. Patients with environmental SDHD were more likely to receive non-operative management. Within any SDHD and economic subgroups, odds of operative management were higher. No relationship was identified between SDHD and concomitant procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of environmental disparities in SDH may predispose patients disproportionately to non-operative management. The presence of SDHDs may influence medical decision-making in favor of open reduction and internal fixation in patients with DRF treated operatively. In treating at-risk populations, providers should be aware of the potential for implicit bias associated with SDHDs and prioritize shared decision-making between patients and physicians.

Increased Neighborhood Deprivation Is Associated with Prolonged Hospital Stays After Surgical Fixation of Traumatic Pelvic Ring Injuries

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to understand the role of social determinants of health assessed by the Area Deprivation Index (ADI) on hospital length of stay and discharge destination following surgical fixation of pelvic ring fractures.

METHODS

A retrospective chart analysis was performed for all patients who presented to our level-I trauma center with pelvic ring injuries that were treated with surgical fixation. Social determinants of health were determined via use of the ADI, a comprehensive metric of socioeconomic status, education, income, employment, and housing quality. ADI values range from 0 to 100 and are normalized to a U.S. mean of 50, with higher scores representing greater social deprivation. We stratified our cohort into 4 ADI quartiles. Statistical analysis was performed on the bottom (25th percentile and below, least deprived) and top (75th percentile and above, most deprived) ADI quartiles. Significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

There were 134 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Patients in the most deprived group were significantly more likely to have a history of smoking, to self-identify as Black, and to have a lower mean household income (p = 0.001). The most deprived ADI quartile had a significantly longer mean length of stay (and standard deviation) (19.2 ± 19 days) compared with the least deprived ADI quartile (14.7 ± 11 days) (p = 0.04). The least deprived quartile had a significantly higher percentage of patients who were discharged to a resource-intensive skilled nursing facility or inpatient rehabilitation facility compared with those in the most deprived quartile (p = 0.04). Race, insurance, and income were not significant predictors of discharge destination or hospital length of stay.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients facing greater social determinants of health had longer hospital stays and were less likely to be discharged to resource-intensive facilities when compared with patients of lesser social deprivation. This may be due to socioeconomic barriers that limit access to such facilities.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Social determinants of health in patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty: are they associated with medical complications, healthcare utilization, and payments for care?

INTRODUCTION

Social determinants of health (SDOH) have previously been shown to impact orthopedic surgery outcomes. This study assessed whether greater socioeconomic disadvantage in patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty following femoral neck fracture was associated with differences in (1) medical complications, (2) emergency department (ED) utilization, (3) readmission rates, and (4) payments for care.

METHODS

A US nationwide database was queried for hemiarthroplasties performed between 2010 and 2020. Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a validated measure of socioeconomic disadvantage reported on a scale of 0-100, was used to compare two cohorts of greater and lesser deprivation. Patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty from high ADI (95% +) were 1:1 propensity score matched to a comparison group of lower ADI (0-94%) while controlling for age, sex, and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index. This yielded 75,650 patients evenly distributed between the two cohorts. Outcomes studied were 90-day medical complications, ED utilizations, readmissions, and payments for care. Multivariate logistic regression models were utilized to calculate odds ratios (ORs) of the relationship between ADI and outcomes. p Values < 0.05 were significant.

RESULTS

Patients of high ADI developed greater medical complications (46.74% vs. 44.97%; OR 1.05, p = 0.002), including surgical site infections (1.19% vs. 1.00%; OR 1.20, p = 0.011), cerebrovascular accidents (1.64% vs. 1.41%; OR 1.16, p = 0.012), and respiratory failures (2.27% vs. 2.02%; OR 1.13, p = 0.017) compared to patients from lower ADIs. Although comparable rates of ED visits (2.92% vs. 2.86%; OR 1.02, p = 0.579), patients from higher ADI were readmitted at diminished rates (10.57% vs. 11.06%; OR 0.95, p = 0.027). Payments were significantly higher on the day of surgery ($7,570 vs. $5,974, p < 0.0001), as well as within 90 days after surgery ($12,700 vs. $10,462, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Socioeconomically disadvantaged patients experience increased 90-day medical complications and payments, similar ED utilizations, and decreased readmissions. These findings can be used to inform healthcare providers to minimize disparities in care.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Why Treat Patients with a Major Orthopaedic Surgery Only to Send Them Back to the Vulnerable Conditions That Made Them Sick in the First Place? A Conceptual Scenario to Improve Patient's Journey

Individuals with severe cartilage degeneration of the hip or knee or collapsed vertebrae that cause spine deformities can suffer from joint and neuropathic pain in the back, disuse of the affected limb, and restriction of movements. Surgical intervention is the most widespread and successful solution to date. There is a general belief that eating healthy and staying physically and mentally active might have a preventive role against musculoskeletal disease occurrence, while instead, we are more certain of the benefits deriving from a healthy diet and exercise therapy after major orthopaedic procedures. These aspects are in fact vital components in enhanced recovery after surgery programmes. However, they are applied in hospital settings, are often centre-dependent, and lack primary and tertiary preventive efficacy since end once the patient is discharged. There is the lack of initiatives at the territorial level that ensure a continuum in the patient's journey towards orthopaedic surgery, home transition, and a healthy and long-lasting life. The expert panel advocates the integration of an intermediate lifestyle clinic that promotes healthy eating, physical activity, and sleep hygiene. In this facility directed by professionals in enhancing recovery after surgery, patients can be referred after the surgical indication and before home discharge. Surgery is in fact a moment when individuals are more curious to do their best to heal and stay healthy, representing a timepoint and opportunity for educating patients on how lifestyle changes may optimise not only their surgical recovery but also long-term future health state.

Home ownership, full-time employment, and other markers of higher socioeconomic status are predictive of shorter time to initial evaluation, shorter time to surgery, and superior postoperative outcomes among lateral patellar instability patients undergoing medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to identify socioeconomic predictors of time to initial evaluation, time to surgery, and postoperative outcomes among lateral patellar instability patients undergoing medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of patients at our institution who underwent primary MPFLR with allograft from 2011 to 2019 and had minimum 12-month follow-up. Patients were administered an email survey in January 2022 to assess symptom history, socioeconomic status, and postoperative outcomes including VAS satisfaction and Kujala score. Predictors of time to initial evaluation, time to surgery, and postoperative outcomes were identified using multivariable linear and logistic regression with stepwise selection.

RESULTS

Seventy patients were included in the cohort (mean age 24.8 years, 72.9% female, mean follow-up time 45.7 months). Mean time to evaluation was 6.4 months (range 0-221) and mean time to surgery was 73.6 months (range 0-444). Having a general health check-up in the year prior to surgery was predictive of shorter time to initial evaluation (β = - 100.5 [- 174.5, - 26.5], p = 0.008). Home ownership was predictive of shorter time to surgery (β = - 56.5 [- 104.7, 8.3], p = 0.02). Full-time employment was predictive of higher VAS satisfaction (β = 14.1 [4.3, 23.9], p = 0.006) and higher Kujala score (β = 8.7 [0.9, 16.5], p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Markers of higher socioeconomic status including having a general check-up in the year prior to surgery, home ownership, and full-time employment were predictive of shorter time to initial evaluation, shorter time to surgery, and superior postoperative outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

 IV, retrospective case series.

Social Determinants of Health and Patients With Traumatic Injuries: Is There a Relationship Between Social Health and Orthopaedic Trauma?

BACKGROUND

Although economic stability, social context, and healthcare access are well-known social determinants of health associated with more challenging recovery after traumatic injury, little is known about how these factors differ by mechanism of injury. Our team sought to use the results of social determinants of health screenings to better understand the population that engaged with psychosocial support services after traumatic musculoskeletal injury and fill a gap in our understanding of patient-reported social health needs.

QUESTION/PURPOSE

What is the relationship between social determinants of health and traumatic musculoskeletal injury?

METHODS

Trauma recovery services is a psychosocial support program at our institution that offers patients and their family members resources such as professional coaching, peer mentorship, post-traumatic stress disorder screening and treatment, educational resources, and more. This team engages with any patient admitted to, treated at, and released from our institution. Their primary engagement population is individuals with traumatic injury, although not exclusively. Between January 2019 and October 2021, the trauma recovery services team interacted with 6036 patients. Of those who engaged with this service, we considered only patients who experienced a traumatic musculoskeletal injury and had a completed social determinants of health screening tool. During the stated timeframe, 13% (814 of 6036) of patients engaged with trauma recovery services and had a complete social determinants of health screening tool. Of these, 53% (428 of 814) had no physical injury. A further 26% (99 of 386) were excluded because they did not have traumatic musculoskeletal injuries, leaving 4.8% (287) for analysis in this cross-sectional study. The study population included patients who interacted with trauma recovery services at our institution after a traumatic orthopaedic injury that occurred between January 2019 and October 2021. Social determinants of health risk screening questionnaires were self-administered prospectively using a screening tool developed by our institution based on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services social determinants of health screening questions. Mechanisms of injury were separated into intentional (physical assault, sexual assault, gunshot wound, or stabbing) and unintentional (fall, motor vehicle collision, or motorcycle crash). During the study period, 287 adult patients interacted with trauma recovery services after a traumatic musculoskeletal injury and had complete social determinant of health screening; 123 injuries were unintentional and 164 were intentional. Patients were primarily women (55% [159 of 287]), single (73% [209 of 287]), and insured by Medicaid or Medicare (78% [225 of 287]). Mechanism category was determined after a thorough medical record review to verify the appropriate category. An initial exploratory univariate analysis was completed for the primary outcome variable using the Pearson chi-squared test for categorical variables and a two-tailed independent t-test for continuous variables. All demographic variables and social determinants of health with p < 0.20 in the univariate analysis were included in a multivariate binary regression analysis to determine independent associations with injury mechanism. All variables with p < 0.05 in the multivariate analysis were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

After controlling for potential demographic confounders, younger age (odds ratio [OR] 0.93 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90 to 0.96]; p < 0.001), Black race (compared with White race, OR 2.71 [95% CI 1.20 to 6.16]; p = 0.02), Hispanic ethnicity (compared with White race, OR 5.32 [95% CI 1.62 to 17.47]; p = 0.006), and at-risk status for food insecurity (OR 4.27 [95% CI 1.18 to 15.39]; p = 0.03) were independently associated with intentional mechanisms of injury.

CONCLUSION

There is a relationship between the mechanism of traumatic orthopaedic injury and social determinants of health risks. Specifically, data showed a correlation between food insecurity and intentional injury. Healthcare systems and providers should be cognizant of this, as well as the additional challenges patients may face in their recovery journey because of social needs. Screening for needs is only the first step in addressing patient's social health needs. Healthcare systems should also allocate resources for personnel and programs that support patients in meeting their social health needs. Future studies should evaluate the impact of such programming in responding to social needs that impact health outcomes and improve health disparities.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, prognostic study.

Economic and educational disparities are associated with an increased risk of revision surgery following shoulder arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

There is limited literature exploring how nonmedical factors such as social determinants of health (SDOHs) are associated with postoperative outcomes following shoulder arthroplasty.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort review of the Pearl Diver Database was used to capture patients undergoing either primary anatomic total or reverse shoulder arthroplasty from the fourth quarter of 2015 to the third quarter of 2019 with at least 1 year of active longitudinal follow-up. Patients with proximal humeral fractures, stress fractures, or septic arthritis were excluded. The included patients were then divided into 2 cohorts based on the presence of current SDOHs or a history of SDOHs. The SDOH cohort comprised 4 non-mutually exclusive categories: economic, educational, social, and environmental disparities. Subsequently, a control cohort was matched at a 1:1 ratio to the SDOH cohort. Primary outcome measures were assessed using a logistic regression and consisted of the following 90-day postoperative complications: minor and major medical complications and infection. Emergency department (ED) visits and readmissions for any cause were also assessed. Additionally, the following 1-year outcomes were assessed: aseptic loosening, instability, and revision arthroplasty. Surgical costs and 90-day postoperative costs were collected using averaged insurance reimbursements for both the control and SDOH cohorts.

RESULTS

There were 5190 patients in each cohort. Economic disparities made up the largest portion of the SDOH cohort (n = 4631, 89.2%), followed by social (n = 741, 14.3%), environmental (n = 417, 8.0%), and educational (n = 99, 1.9%) disparities. Compared with the control cohort, SDOHs were associated with an increased risk of major complications (2.3% vs. 1.4%; odds ratio [OR], 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29-1.87; P < .001), minor complications (5.7% vs. 3.8%; OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.21-1.95; P = .001), readmissions (4.3% vs. 2.8%; OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.26-1.84; P < .001), and ED visits (15.2% vs. 11.0%; OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.29-1.63; P < .001) within 90 days following surgery. Additionally, SDOHs were associated with an increased risk of aseptic loosening (1.1% vs. 0.6%; OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.20-2.65; P = .006), instability (4.0% vs. 2.2%; OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.43-2.28; P < .001), and ipsilateral revision (9.2% vs. 7.6%; OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.08-1.43; P < .001) at 1 year postoperatively compared with the control cohort.

CONCLUSION

SDOHs are associated with increased rates of adverse outcomes following shoulder arthroplasty including revision surgery, ED visits, length of stay, and overall cost compared with matched controls without SDOHs. Specifically, economic and educational disparities are associated with increased rates of adverse outcomes following surgery including revision surgery, ED visits, length of stay, and overall cost.

Equity-Driven Implementation of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Musculoskeletal Care: Advancing Value for All

ABSTRACT

The clinical use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in musculoskeletal care is expanding, encompassing both individual patient management and population-level applications. However, without thoughtful implementation, we risk introducing or exacerbating disparities in care processes or outcomes. We outline examples of opportunities, challenges, and priorities throughout PROM implementation to equitably advance value-based care at both the patient and population level. Balancing standardization with tailored strategies can enable the large-scale implementation of PROMs while optimizing care processes and outcomes for all patients.

The Effect of Social Deprivation on Fracture-Healing and Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Intramedullary Nailing of Tibial Shaft Fractures

BACKGROUND

Social deprivation is a state marked by limited access to resources due to poverty, discrimination, or other marginalizing factors. We investigated the links between social deprivation and orthopaedic trauma, including patient-reported outcomes, radiographic healing, and complication rates following intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 229 patients who underwent intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures at our Level-I trauma center. The Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a validated proxy for social deprivation, was used to group patients into the most deprived tercile (MDT), the intermediate deprived tercile (IDT), and the least deprived tercile (LDT) for outcome comparison. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) was used to measure the domains of Physical Function (PF), Pain Interference (PI), Anxiety, and Depression, and radiographic healing was assessed with the Radiographic Union Scale in Tibial fractures (RUST) system.

RESULTS

On univariate analyses, patients from the MDT reported worse PF, PI, Anxiety, and Depression scores than those from the LDT within the first year of postoperative follow-up. On multivariable regression analysis, PROMIS score outcomes were influenced by age, race, and smoking status, but not by social deprivation tercile. Furthermore, residing in the MDT was associated with a 31% increase in time to radiographic union compared with the LDT (β = 0.27; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Following intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures, social deprivation is associated with slower fracture-healing and potentially influences short-term PROMIS scores. These results warrant further investigation in additional patient populations with orthopaedic trauma and highlight the importance of developing interventions to reduce inequities faced by patients from low-resource settings.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Social Determinants of Health Disparities are Associated with Increased Costs, Revisions, and Infection in Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to use a national claims database to assess the impact of pre-existing social determinants of health disparities (SDHD) on postoperative outcomes following rotator cuff repair (RCR).

METHODS

A retrospective review of the Mariner Claims Database was used to capture patients undergoing primary RCR with at least 1 year of follow-up. These patients were divided into two cohorts based on the presence of a current or previous history of SDHD, encompassing educational, environmental, social, or economic disparities. Records were queried for 90-day postoperative complications, consisting of minor and major medical complications, emergency department (ED) visits, readmission, stiffness, and 1-year ipsilateral revision surgery. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to assess the impact of SDHD on the assessed postoperative outcomes following RCR.

RESULTS

58,748 patients undergoing primary RCR with a SDHD diagnosis and 58,748 patients in the matched control group were included. A previous diagnosis of SDHD was associated with an increased risk of ED visits (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.18-1.27; P < .001), postoperative stiffness (OR 2.53, 95% CI 2.42-2.64; P < .001), and revision surgery (OR 2.35, 95% CI 2.13-2.59; P < .001) compared to the matched control group. Subgroup analysis revealed educational disparities had the greatest risk for 1-year revision (OR 3.13, 95% CI 2.53-4.05; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of a SDHD was associated with an increased risk of revision surgery, postoperative stiffness, emergency room visits, medical complications, and surgical costs following arthroscopic RCR. Overall, economic and educational SDHD were associated with the greatest risk of 1-year revision surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III, retrospective cohort study.