Pre-fracture medication use as a predictor of 30-day mortality in hip fracture patients: an analysis of 141,201 patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the predictive value of pre-fracture medication usage on 30-day mortality following a hip fracture.

Methods: Information on age, sex, fracture type, time of death and Charlson co-morbidity index (CCI) was collected from the Danish National Patient Registry on all patients above 60 years, sustaining a hip fracture during the period January 1995 to December 2013. Information on drug usage was obtained from the Danish National Prescription Database.

Re-amputations and mortality after below-knee, through-knee and above-knee amputations.

Introduction: From January 2013, we changed the surgical strategy in our department and ceased to perform the through-knee amputation (TKA). The primary aim of this study was to investigate re-amputation rates ≤ 90 days after non-traumatic major lower-extremity amputations performed before and after this change of practice. Furthermore, we reported mortality before and after the change of practice.

No Effect of Acupuncture as Adjunctive Therapy for Patients with Total Knee Replacement: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: Acupuncture is a low risk option in pain management following total knee replacement as an alternative to opioid analgesics. Therefore, the benefit of acupuncture as adjunct to an exercise program was investigated. Furthermore, the modifying effect of previous benefit from acupuncture was explored.

Orthogeriatric Service Reduces Mortality in Patients With Hip Fracture.

Introduction: Orthogeriatric service has been shown to improve outcomes in patients with hip fracture. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of orthogeriatrics at Bispebjerg University Hospital, Denmark. The primary outcome is mortality inhospital and after 1, 3, and 12 months for patients with hip fracture.

Daily number of fractures is associated with road temperature in an urban area.

Introduction: Different factors related to winter are known to influence the fracture incidence, but little is known about the effect of road surface temperature. This study examines the association between road surface temperature and the daily number of fractures in an urban area during two winters.

Material And Methods: Retrospective data collection was conducted on all patients treated at Bispebjerg Hospital, Denmark, for a humeral, ankle, distal radius or hip fracture during the periods October to April 2009/2010 and 2010/2011.

[Collaboration between geriatricians and orthopaedic surgeons on elderly patients].

Close collaboration between geriatricians and orthopaedic surgeons on elderly patients with hip fractures reduces mortality, the number of complications, and the length of hospital stay and increases the functional abilities of the patients. In some Danish hospitals the two groups of doctors work closely together, in others there are few or no geriatricians.

Preoperative factors associated with red blood cell transfusion in hip fracture patients.

Introduction: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is a frequently used treatment in patients admitted with a fractured hip, but the use remains an area of much debate. The aim of this study was to determine preoperative factors associated with the risk of receiving a red blood cell transfusion in hip fracture patients.

Method: The study included 986 consecutive hip fracture patients (aged 60 years or above).

Metaanalysis of risk factors for mortality in patients with hip fracture.

Introduction: The aim of this meta-analysis is to assess the association of three different clinical score systems with the mortality in hip fracture patients.

Methods: A literature search was conducted on November 13, 2011 using PubMed and Embase. The search yielded 315 publications which were reviewed on the basis of the inclusion criteria.

Chromium and cobalt ion concentrations in blood and serum following various types of metal-on-metal hip arthroplasties: a literature overview.

Background And Purpose: Widely different metal ion concentrations in blood and serum have been reported with metal-on-metal (MoM) implants. We reviewed the literature on blood and serum ion concentrations of chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co) following various MoM hip arthroplasties.

Methods: Studies were searched for in the Medline database, Embase, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism and mortality in hip fracture patients compared to a control group from general practice.

Introduction: Previously, little attention has been paid as to how disturbances in the parathyroid hormone (PTH)-calcium-vitamin D-axis, such as secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), relate to mortality amongst hip fracture patients. This study aimed to (1) determine if SHPT is associated with mortality in this group of patients, (2) investigate the association between serum (s-) PTH, s-total calcium, s-25-hydroxyvitamin D (s-25(OH)D) and mortality and (3) determine the prevalence of SHPT amongst hip fracture patients and a control group.

Method: The study included 562 hip fracture patients (HF) (age ≥ 70 years) admitted to a Danish university hospital.

Value of routine blood tests for prediction of mortality risk in hip fracture patients.

Background: There is a 5- to 8-fold increased risk of mortality during the first 3 months after a hip fracture. Several risk factors are known. We studied the predictive value (for mortality) of routine blood tests taken on admission.

Routine blood tests as predictors of mortality in hip fracture patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the evidence for the association between different biochemical markers at admission and mortality through a meta-analysis.

Data Sources: PubMed-, Embase-, Cochran Library and the Web of Knowledge were searched for cohort studies.

Study Selection: Eligible studies were observational studies with a study population larger than 150 subjects, a mean age above 60 years and a study duration below 730 days.

A comprehensive hip fracture program reduces complication rates and mortality.

Objectives: To evaluate the rate of postoperative complications, length of stay, and 1-year mortality before and after introduction of a comprehensive multidisciplinary fast-track treatment and care program for hip fracture patients (the optimized program).

Design: Retrospective chart review with historical control.

Setting: Orthopedic ward (110 beds) at a university hospital (700 beds).

Two-dimensional fusion imaging of planar bone scintigraphy and radiographs in patients with clinical scaphoid fracture: an imaging study.

Background: Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now considered the gold standard in second-line imaging of patients with suspected scaphoid fracture and negative radiographs, bone scintigraphy can be used in patients with pacemakers, metallic implants, or other contraindications to MRI. Bone scintigraphy is highly sensitive for the detection of fractures, but exact localization of scintigraphic lesions may be difficult and can negatively affect diagnostic accuracy.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of image fusion of planar bone scintigraphy and radiographs on image interpretation in patients with suspected scaphoid fracture.

[Registration of prehabilitation prior to surgery].

Four to eight week prehabilitation programs for smokers and harmful drinkers were included in the national guidelines in 2001. In October 2007 a guarantee for surgery within one month of waiting time came into effect in Denmark. The present Danish patient administration system already contains room for registration of prehabilitation prior to surgery.

White blood cell scintigraphy for differentiation of infection and aseptic loosening: a retrospective study of 76 painful hip prostheses.

Background: Diagnosis of an infected arthroplasty is often difficult. Fever, abnormal physical findings, radiographic changes, findings at bone scintigraphy, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP, and leucocytosis are not specific enough. We evaluated the diagnostic value of white blood cell scintigraphy.

Introduction of new guidelines for emergency patients: motivational counselling among smokers.

Introduction: Smoking is the most important risk factor for morbidity and mortality in hospital patients. Patient contact with the healthcare system should include smoking cessation counselling. Emergency admissions are seldom given this opportunity.

Muscle size, neuromuscular activation, and rapid force characteristics in elderly men and women: effects of unilateral long-term disuse due to hip-osteoarthritis.

Substantial evidence exists for the age-related decline in muscle strength and neural function, but the effect of long-term disuse in the elderly is largely unexplored. The present study examined the effect of unilateral long-term limb disuse on maximal voluntary quadriceps contraction (MVC), lean quadriceps muscle cross-sectional area (LCSA), contractile rate of force development (RFD, Delta force/Delta time), impulse (integral force dt), muscle activation deficit (interpolated twitch technique), maximal neuromuscular activity [electromyogram (EMG)], and antagonist muscle coactivation in elderly men (M: 60-86 yr; n = 19) and women (W: 60-86 yr; n = 20) with unilateral chronic hip-osteoarthritis. Both sides were examined to compare the effect of long-term decreased activity on the affected (AF) leg with the unaffected (UN) side.

Factors affecting postoperative mortality of patients with displaced femoral neck fracture.

Displaced femoral neck fractures are known to be associated with high rates of mortality. The purpose of the present study is to investigate pre- and postoperative factors which influence this mortality in a series of 1186 consecutive Danish patients presenting to one hospital's orthopaedic department with Garden type 3-4 fractures. Subsequent mortality data was obtained from the state population register (224 were still alive).

Resistance training in the early postoperative phase reduces hospitalization and leads to muscle hypertrophy in elderly hip surgery patients--a controlled, randomized study.

Objectives: To better understand how immobilization and surgery affect muscle size and function in the elderly and to identify effective training regimes.

Design: A prospective randomized, controlled study.

Setting: Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Training-induced changes in muscle CSA, muscle strength, EMG, and rate of force development in elderly subjects after long-term unilateral disuse.

The ability to develop muscle force rapidly may be a very important factor to prevent a fall and to perform other tasks of daily life. However, information is still lacking on the range of training-induced neuromuscular adaptations in elderly humans recovering from a period of disuse. Therefore, the present study examined the effect of three types of training regimes after unilateral prolonged disuse and subsequent hip-replacement surgery on maximal muscle strength, rapid muscle force [rate of force development (RFD)], muscle activation, and muscle size.

[Visits to hospital emergency departments after restricted-admission changes at the Rigshospitalet].

Introduction: The aim of this study was to describe changes in the use of accident and emergency departments in the Copenhagen Hospital Co-operation after restricted admittance to the accident and emergency department at a large Danish university hospital, Rigshospitalet (admittance only for patients transported by ambulance or presenting with a referral from a doctor).

Material And Methods: A retrospective study compared the number of patients treated in two periods, 1.7.

An audit on guidelines used for the initial management of patients with minor head injuries in Denmark.

The purpose of this quality assurance study was to compare the practice used in the management of patients with minor head injuries (MHI) in Denmark with guidelines recommended by Danish neurosurgeons and analyse differences between hospitals in the treatment of patients with MHI. All 68 accident and emergency departments in Denmark covering a population of 5,146,000 inhabitants and 895,000 attenders received a questionnaire containing questions about epidemiological data, the clinical practice and the use of skull x-ray. Ninety-four per cent of the hospitals responded.