ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the possible relationship between the anatomical location of the PFF (head-neck fractures) and the demographic features, comorbidities, and risk factors of elderly patients. Methods: 233 patients aged 65 years and over, who were admitted to the emergency department with a diagnosis of proximal femur fracture were included in this study. Results: Most patients (59.6%) had a trochanteric fracture. The incidence of trochanteric fractures had a statistically significant positive correlation with age. Falls at ground level were found to be highly associated with trochanteric fractures (92,8%). At least one complication was observed in 57 (41,0%) cases and 31 (22,3%) died in one year, of the patients with trochanteric fractures. Comorbidity was not related to fracture location statistically. Fall ground level (p = 0.013), complication rate (73.7%; p <0.001), and Charlesen comorbidity index (p = 0.019) were statistically significantly associated with death. The logistic regression analysis of variables determined that only the quantity of comorbidities may be related to femoral neck fractures (p = 0.047). Conclusion: Female patients with trochanteric fractures were found to be older than male patients. Fall ground level, mortality, and complications were more frequently seen in patients with trochanteric fractures. Level of Evidence II, Retrospective study.
RESUMO Objetivos: Este estudo foi desenhado para investigar a possível relação entre a localização anatômica da PFP (fraturas de cabeça e pescoço) e as características demográficas, comorbidades e fatores de risco de pacientes idosos. Métodos: Foram incluídos 233 pacientes com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos, admitidos no pronto-socorro com diagnóstico de fratura do fêmur proximal. Resultados: A maioria dos pacientes (59,6%) apresentou fratura trocantérica. A incidência de fraturas trocanterianas apresentou correlação positiva estatisticamente significativa com a idade. Verificou-se que as quedas no nível do solo estão altamente associadas às fraturas trocantéricas (92,8%). Pelo menos uma complicação foi observada em 57 (41%) casos e 31 (22,3%) morreram em um ano, dos pacientes com fraturas trocantéricas. A comoborbidade não foi realizada estatisticamente com a localização da fratura. Queda do nível do solo (p = 0,013), taxa de complicações (73,7%; p < 0,001), índice de comorbidade charlesen (p = 0,019) foram estatisticamente significativamente associados à morte. Na análise de regressão logística das variáveis, determinou-se que apenas a quantidade de comorbidades pode estar relacionada às fraturas do colo do fêmur (p = 0,047). Conclusão: Pacientes do sexo feminino com fraturas trocantéricas foram consideradas mais velhas do que pacientes do sexo masculino. Queda no nível do solo, mortalidade e complicações foram observadas com mais frequência em pacientes com fraturas trocantéricas. Nível de evidência II, Estudo retrospectivo.
ABSTRACT
@#BACKGROUND: Fluid and electrolyte balance is a key concept to understand for maintaining homeostasis, and for a successful treatment of many metabolic disorders. There are various regulating mechanisms for the equilibrium of electrolytes in organisms. Disorders of these mechanisms result in electrolyte imbalances that may be life-threatening clinical conditions. In this study we defined the electrolyte imbalance characteristics of patients admitted to our emergency department. METHODS: This study was conducted in the Emergency Department (ED) of Uludag University Faculty of Medicine, and included 996 patients over 18 years of age. All patients had electrolyte imbalance, with various etiologies other than traumatic origin. Demographic and clinical parameters were collected after obtaining informed consent from the patients. The ethical committee of the university approved this study. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 59.28±16.79, and 55% of the patients were male. The common symptoms of the patients were dyspnea (14.7%), fever (13.7%), and systemic deterioration (11.9%); but the most and least frequent electrolyte imbalances were hyponatremia and hypermagnesemia, respectively. Most frequent findings in physical examination were confusion (14%), edema (10%) and rales (9%); and most frequent pathological findings in ECG were tachycardia in 24%, and atrial fibrillation in 7% of the patients. Most frequent comorbidity was malignancy (39%). Most frequent diagnoses in the patients were sepsis (11%), pneumonia (9%), and acute renal failure (7%). CONCLUSIONS: Electrolyte imbalances are of particular importance in the treatment of ED patients. Therefore, ED physicians must be acknowledged of their fluid-electrolyte balance dynamics and general characteristics.