The impact of demographic factors and comorbidities on distal radius fracture outcomes.

Background: Despite the prevalence and consequences of distal radius fracture (DRF), there is limited research that analyzes the effects of demographic factors and comorbidities as they relate to pain, perceived disability, and functional outcomes.

Methods: All data for this study were examined retrospectively within an established clinical database. Patients with DRF were evaluated during their first and final visits with a criterion-based numeric pain scale (CR12), the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, and a global rate of change scale to assess outcomes of pain, perceived disability, and function, respectively.

Results: The number of days between injury and initial therapy evaluation were inversely correlated with changes in perceived pain and perceived disability (r = -0.315, p = 0.000; r = -0.348, p = 0.000). In addition, moderate and statistically significant correlations were noted between work status and average CR12 and DASH scores at final re-evaluation (r = 0.392, p = 0.000, r = 0.473, p = 0.000). No significant relationships were noted between additional demographic factors or comorbidities and pain, perceived disability, or function during statistical analysis.

Conclusions: Patients without diabetes, hypertension, or depression and those who were not smokers had better outcomes in terms of pain, perceived disability, and function in this study. In addition, earlier timing of initial evaluation after injury and full duty work status were significantly related to improvement in pain and perceived disability. Timing of initiation of therapy and return to work are suggested as avenues for future research.