Quality Improvement Project: Improving Osteoporosis Treatment for Patients with a Neck of Femur Fracture

Background/Aims The Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) identifies patients >50 who have sustained a fragility fracture (FF). These patients need prompt assessment and decision on appropriate treatment for osteoporosis in order to reduce their risk of sustaining further FFs. Without treatment, 1/5 patients can go on to have a further FFs which carry significant risk to mortality and morbidity. Zoledronate is a bone agent that halves the risk of another FF. Patients with a neck of femur fracture (#NOF) present as one of the most at-risk groups for a further FF. These patients are generally elderly and frail and attendance to outpatient hospital appointments are difficult. Therefore, transforming the FLS from an out-patient-based service, to one that is streamlined to systematically identify and opportunistically treat patients whilst they are still in hospital means delivering timely, effective and efficient patient-centred care. Methods We used various Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to aim to deliver Zoledronate to>=90% of appropriately assessed in-patients >60 who have had a #NOF within a year of commencing QIP. Results PDSA cycle 1-Involvement of ortho-geriatrician: P-Improve working relationship with ortho-geriatrician with an interest in bone health over a 6-month period;D-Regular meetings with wider MDT;S-Priority of bone health assessments made greater through ward round documentation;A-Expand knowledge throughout the wider ortho-geriatrician team. PDSA cycle 2-Timing of Zoledronate delivery: P-Literature review regarding delivery of Zoledronate timing;D-Discuss as MDT;SNo evidence to suggest delay in fracture healing if given on day 7;AAdopted process and communicated. PDSA cycle 3-FLS team on the wards as a result of PDSA cycle 2 not improving treatment outcomes: P-FLS nurses to join ortho-geriatrician ward round twice-weekly for 3- month trial period;D-Bank holidays and spike in Covid cases presented a challenge. Solution: Improvement of MDT relationships;S-At the end of the trial period an increase in patients who received treatment was shown and proved our prediction;A-Adaptation to documentation in FLS to streamline and reduce duplication. Conclusion The ability to deliver Zoledronate to>=90% of appropriate patients with a #NOF as an inpatient was reached after 8 months of initiating QIP. Furthermore, maintaining this was consistently achieved throughout the following year and beyond. A few of the main reasons for this included earlier drug delivery, having a dedicated ortho-geriatrician as part of the FLS, and the FLS team attending the wards. A prompt bone health assessment of patients has enabled appropriate treatment to be delivered efficiently. The delivery of Zoledronate as an in-patient has meant that a significantly greater proportion of patients receive treatment, and sooner, in comparison to awaiting an outpatient assessment (that they may not attend). Therefore, this QIP has demonstrated time- and cost-effective management of patients with #NOF requiring Zoledronate.

Preparing the Leaders of Tomorrow: Learnings from a Two-Year Community of Practice in Fragility Fractures.

To facilitate the development of leadership competencies in a multidisciplinary group of 18 emerging bone experts from 6 European Countries and Brazil, to face future scenarios in the evolving field of fragility fractures, and to support secondary fracture prevention and improve patient outcomes. Changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic have further highlighted this need. A 2.5-year community of practice (CoP) programme was established with two senior bone experts acting as mentors. The content was adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The education impact of the programme was assessed using an ethics-approved mixed-method design consisting of multiple sources of qualitative and quantitative data collected longitudinally. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively. Qualitative data underwent a thematic analysis. After participating in the programme, participants reported increased interprofessional collaboration and communication skills, better understanding of health economics and negotiation, application of adult learning principles to their work setting, development of competencies to critically appraise guidelines, enhanced abilities to facilitate behaviour change in others, and improved confidence leading their team through crisis situations. Although time was required for some physicians to get accustomed to the CoP concept and develop trust with other members, it was described as a beneficial real-world learning experience. An educational real-world CoP programme was effective in enhancing leadership competencies among future leaders in the bone field to improve care of fragility fracture patients. The results presented could guide the development of other CoPs in fragility fracture care as leadership competencies are increasingly required in that field.

THE USE of ORAL AMINO-BISPHOSPHONATES and CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) OUTCOMES

Background: The determinants of the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) manifestations are yet not fully understood. Amino-bisphosphonates (N-BPs) have anti-infammatory properties and have been shown to reduce the incidence of lower respiratory infections, cardiovascular events and cancer. Objectives: We conducted a population-based retrospective observational case control study with the primary objective of determining if oral N-BPs treatment can play a role in thesusceptibility to the development of severe COVID-19. Methods: Administrative ICD-9-CM and AT C data, representative of Italian population (9% sample of the overallpopulation), were analyzed. Oral N-BPs (mainly alendronate and risedronate) were included in the analysis. Patients treated with bisphosphonates (cases) were randomly matched (1:1 ratio) for age, sex and for other clinically relevant variables (presence of treatments other than bisphosphonates and hospitalizations) with all the health-assisted population without this treatment (controls). Results: Incidence of Covid-19 hospitalization was 12.32 [95%CI 9.61-15.04] and 11.55 [95%CI 8.91-14.20], of ICU utilization due to COVID-19 was 1.25 [95%CI 0.38-2.11] and 1.42 [95%CI 0.49-2.36] and of all-cause death was4.06 [95%CI 2.50-5.61] and 3.96 [95%CI 2.41-5.51] for oral N-BPs users and non-users, respectively (Figure 1A). Figure 1B Incidence and 95% CI of COVID-19 related events in N-BPs treated and untreated subjects with anti-osteoporotic drugs and without corticos-teroids. C. Incidence and 95% CI of COVID-19 related events in N-BPs treated and untreated without previous vertebral or hip fragility fractures. D. Incidence of COVID-19related events in bisphosphonates treated and untreated patients without previous vertebral or hip fracture without corticosteroid prescriptions. Conclusion: In conclusion, we found that the incidence of COVID-19 hospi-talization, intensive care unit (ICU) utilization and COVID-19 potentially related mortality were similar in N-BPs treated and non-treated subjects. Similar results were found in N-BPs versus other anti-osteoporotic drugs. We provided real-life data on the safety of oral N-BPs in terms of severe COVID-19 risk on a population-based cohort. Our results strongly support national and international guidelines that advocate against the discontinuation of oral bisphosphonates only for the fear of COVID-19.

PREVALENCE of GLUCOCORTICOID INDUCED OSTEOPOROSIS in AFRICAN ADULT PATIENTS with CHRONIC RHEUMATIC DISEASES. A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW and META-ANALYSIS

Background: Glucocorticoid (GC) use is well established in the treatment of rheumatics diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The use of low dose GC has been endorsed by EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases even if in the context of SARS-CoV-2, but long-term use is generally discouraged. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of glucocorticosteroids induced osteoporosis (GIOP) on bone mineral density (BMD) in African adult patients with infammatory rheumatic diseases. Methods: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and African index medicus were systematically searched up to December 2020 without language restrictions. We included studies as follows: population-based or hospital-based study, study with sufficient information to estimate the prevalence of GIOP and osteoporotic fractures in African patients with rheumatic disease. Searches were limited to peer-reviewed full text articles. A standardized data extraction form was used to collect information from eligible studies. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to obtain the pooled prevalence of GIOP in these studies. The meta-analysis was strati-fed by geographical region. The study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42021256252. Results: Our search identifed 8571 studies, of which 8 studies were included in the systematic review from only four African countries and 7 studies in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of osteoporotic fractures in our study was 47.7% (95% CI 32.9-62.8) with 52.2% (95% CI 36.5-67.6) in North Africa and 15.4% (95% 1.9-45.4%) in South Africa (SA). There was no evidence of publication bias, although heterogeneity was high (p=0.018). There was no data from sub-Saharan Africa apart from the two studies from SA. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of GIOP in African adult patients with infam-matory rheumatic diseases was high at 47.7% (95% CI 32.9-62.8). Meta-analysis calculation revealed patient geographic origin as possible confounding factors of the proportion outcomes and further studies are required.

TOCILIZUMAB in COMBINATION with 8 WEEKS of PREDNISONE for GIANT CELL ARTERITIS

Background: Even with the use of tocilizumab (TCZ), signifcant glucocorticoid exposure (usually ≥ 6 months) continues to be an important problem in giant cell arteritis (GCA). Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab (TCZ) in combination with 2 months of prednisone in a group of patients with GCA. Methods: We conducted a prospective, single arm, open-label study of TCZ in combination with 2 months of prednisone for new-onset and relapsing GCA patients with active disease (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifer NCT03726749). GCA diagnosis required confrmation by temporal artery biopsy or vascular imaging. Active disease was defned as presence of cranial or polymyalgia rheumat-ica symptoms necessitating treatment within 6 weeks of baseline. All patients received TCZ 162 mg subcutaneously every week for 12 months and an 8-week prednisone taper starting between 20 mg and 60 mg daily (Figure 1). The primary endpoint, sustained prednisone-free remission, was defned as absence of relapse from induction of remission up to week 52 while adhering to the prednisone taper. Relapse was defned as the recurrence of symptoms of GCA requiring treatment intensifcation regardless of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Safety was also evaluated. 8-week prednisone taper starting between 20 mg and 60 mg Primary endpoint Prednisone-free remission at week 52 Figure 1. Clinical Trial Schema Results: Between 11/2018 and 11/2020 we enrolled 30 patients (mean age 74 years, 60% females, 50% new-onset disease, 77% temporal artery biopsy-proven, 47% imaging-proven). The mean ESR and CRP at screening were 45 mm/hour and 48 mg/L, respectively. The initial prednisone dose was 60 mg (n = 7), 50 mg (n = 1), 40 mg (n = 7), 30 mg (n = 6) and 20 mg (n = 9). All patients entered remission within 4 weeks of baseline. The primary endpoint was achieved by 23 (77%) patients (Table 1). The mean (SD) cumulative prednisone dose in these 23 patients was 1052 (390) mg. After a mean period of 16 weeks, 7 (23%) patients relapsed (Table 1). All relapses but one occurred after the completion of the study prednisone taper. Overall, 6 of the 7 patients with relapse received a second prednisone taper over 8 weeks. Of these 6 patients, 4 achieved and maintained remission for the remainder of the trial period, and 2 withdrew from the study after having a second relapse. One patient with relapse received a second prednisone taper over 26 weeks and stayed in remission until the end of the study. The mean (SD) cumulative prednisone dose in the 7 patients with relapse was 1883 (699) mg (Table 1). Overall, 4 (13%) participants developed a serious adverse event (Table 1). No cases of ischemia-related visual symptoms including permanent vision loss occurred during the study. Table 1. Efficacy and Safety Outcomes GCA patients (n = 30) Efficacy Sustained, prednisone-free remission by week 52 23.0 (76.7) Cumulative prednisone dose (mg) at week 52, mean (SD) 1051.5 (390.3) Relapse 70 (23.3) Time to relapse, weeks: mean (SD) 15.8 (14.7) Prednisone dose (mg/day) at relapse, mean (SD) 2.1 (5.2) Cumulative prednisone dose (mg), mean (SD) 1883.1 (699.2) Clinical manifestations at relapse Cranial symptoms 4 out of 7 patients schemic visual symptoms 0 out of 7 patients PMR symptoms 4 out of 7 patients Safety Serious adverse events 4.0 (13.3) Cellulitis 1 COVID-19 1 Fragility fracture 1 Cholecystitis 1 Values represent number and (%) unless otherwise specifed. SD, standard deviation;PMR, polymyalgia rheumatica Conclusion: These results suggest that 12 months of TCZ in combination with 8 weeks of prednisone could be efficacious for inducing and maintaining disease remission in patients with GCA. Confrmation of these fndings in a randomized controlled trial is required.

OUTCOMES during and after LONG-TERM TOCILIZUMAB TREATMENT in PATIENTS with GIANT CELL ARTERITIS

Background: Data on the long-term efficacy and safety of tocilizumab (TCZ) for giant cell arteritis (GCA), including incidence and timing of disease relapse after TCZ discontinuation, is limited. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of GCA patients treated with TCZ in a real-world setting. Methods: Retrospective analysis of GCA patients treated with TCZ for >9 months at a single center between 2010-2021. Time to relapse and annualized relapse rate during and after TCZ treatment, prednisone use and safety were assessed. Relapse was defned as the re-appearance of clinical manifestations of GCA that required treatment intensifcation regardless of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. The duration of TCZ treatment was determined as per the best clinical judgement of the treating rheumatologist. Results: A total of 57 GCA patients were followed for a mean (SD) period of 3.4 (1.7) years. Baseline characteristics and treatments received are shown in Table 1. Patients were maintained on their initial TCZ course for a mean (SD) period of 2.0 (1.3) years. The initial TCZ course lasted >12 months in 50 (88%) patients. During the initial TCZ course, 8 (14.0%) patients relapsed. Kaplan-Meier (KM) estimated relapse rates on TCZ were 10.5% and 14.9% at 12 and 18 months, respectively (Figure 1A). TCZ was discontinued due to long-term remission in 37 (64.9%) patients and after an adverse event in 6 (10.5%) patients. Of the 43 patients stopping TCZ due to remission or adverse event, 19 (44.2%) subsequently relapsed. KM estimated relapse rates after TCZ discontinuation were 30.4% and 44.0% at 12 and 18 months, respectively (Figure 1B). Overall, 12 patients received more than one TCZ course. The aggregation of all TCZ courses (mean 2.5 years) and all periods off TCZ following the initial TCZ treatment (mean 0.9 years) showed that 11 (19.3%) patients relapsed while on TCZ and 20 (35.1%) patients relapsed during time off TCZ. An analysis adjusting for age, sex, prednisone dose at initiation of frst TCZ course, and disease type (new onset vs. relapsing) at initiation of frst TCZ course showed an annualized relapse rate (95% CI) of 0.1 (0.0-0.2) during TCZ treatment and 0.4 (0.3-0.7) off TCZ (rate ratio 0.2, p<0.0001). By the end of follow up, 42 (73.7%) patients were able to wean off prednisone. During the study, 12 serious adverse events occurred in 11 (19.3%) patients. Among those 12 events, 3 (25%) were related or possibly related to TCZ exclusively (i.e., soft tissue infection, bacteremia, and COVID-19), 3 (25%) to prednisone exclusively (i.e., osteoporotic fracture, diabetic ketoacidosis and stroke), and 2 (16.7%) to either TCZ or prednisone (i.e., pneumonia and sepsis). Conclusion: Long-term TCZ treatment was efficacious in maintaining disease remission and sparing the use of prednisone in patients with GCA. Over 40% of patients stopping TCZ after long-term remission or adverse event relapsed following TCZ discontinuation.

Quality improvement initiatives in the care and prevention of fragility fractures in the Asia Pacific region.

This narrative review summarises ongoing challenges and progress in the care and prevention of fragility fractures across the Asia Pacific region since mid-2019. The approaches taken could inform development of national bone health improvement Road Maps to be implemented at scale during the United Nations 'Decade of Healthy Ageing'. PURPOSE: This narrative review summarises recent studies that characterise the burden of fragility fractures, current care gaps and quality improvement initiatives intended to improve the care and prevention of fragility fractures across the Asia Pacific region. METHODS: The review focuses on published studies, reports and quality improvement initiatives undertaken during the period July 2019 to May 2022. RESULTS: Epidemiological studies conducted in countries and regions throughout Asia Pacific highlight the current and projected increasing burden of fragility fractures. Recent studies and reports document a persistent and pervasive post-fracture care gap among people who have sustained fragility fractures. Global initiatives developed by the Fragility Fracture Network and International Osteoporosis Foundation have gained significant momentum in the Asia Pacific region, despite the disruption caused by the COVID-pandemic. The Asia Pacific Fragility Fracture Alliance has developed educational resources including a Hip Fracture Registry Toolbox and a Primary Care Physician Education Toolkit. The Asia Pacific Osteoporosis and Fragility Fractures Society-a new section of the Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association-is working to engage orthopaedic surgeons across the region in the care and prevention of fragility fractures. The Asia Pacific Consortium on Osteoporosis developed a framework to support national clinical guidelines development groups. Considerable activity at the national level is evident in many countries across the region. CONCLUSION: Development and implementation of national Road Maps informed by the findings of this review are urgently required to respond to the epidemiological emergency posed by fragility fractures during the United Nations 'Decade of Healthy Ageing'.

COVID-19 lockdown negatively impacted on adherence to denosumab therapy: incidence of non-traumatic fractures and role of telemedicine.

PURPOSE: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdowns have impacted on management of osteoporosis and the use of telemedicine is increasingly widespread albeit supported by little evidence so far. The aim of the study is to assess adherence to denosumab and incidence of non-traumatic fractures during the lockdown compared to the pre-COVID-19 year and to explore the effectiveness of telemedicine in the management of osteoporotic patients. METHODS: Retrospective, longitudinal, single-center study on patients receiving subcutaneous denosumab therapy every 6 months. Each patient was scheduled to undergo 2 visits: one during the pre-COVID-19 period (March 2019-March 2020) and another visit during the lockdown period (March 2020-March 2021). Data on new fractures, adherence, risk factors for osteoporosis and the modality of visit (telemedicine or face-to-face) were collected. RESULTS: The prevalence of non-adherent patients was higher during the lockdown (35 of 269 patients, 13.0%) than the pre-COVID-19 period (9 of 276 patients, 3.3%) (p < 0.0001). During the lockdown, the number of new non-traumatic fractures was higher than the pre-COVID-19 year (p < 0.0001): 10 patients out of 269 (3.7%) experienced a fragility fracture and 2 patients (0.7%) a probable rebound fracture during the lockdown period, whereas no patient had fragility/rebound fractures during the pre-COVID-19 period. No difference was found in the prevalence of non-adherence and new non-traumatic fractures comparing patients evaluated with tele-medicine to those evaluated with face-to-face visit. CONCLUSION: Non-adherent patients and new non-traumatic fractures (including rebound fractures) were more prevalent during the lockdown in comparison to the pre-COVID-19 period, regardless of the modality of medical evaluation.

The IMPACT of COVID-19 on trauma & orthopaedic surgery provides lessons for future communicable disease outbreaks : minimum reporting standards, risk scores, fragility trauma services, and global collaboration.

Research into COVID-19 has been rapid in response to the dynamic global situation, which has resulted in heterogeneity of methodology and the communication of information. Adherence to reporting standards would improve the quality of evidence presented in future studies, and may ensure that findings could be interpreted in the context of the wider literature. The COVID-19 pandemic remains a dynamic situation, requiring continued assessment of the disease incidence and monitoring for the emergence of viral variants and their transmissibility, virulence, and susceptibility to vaccine-induced immunity. More work is needed to assess the long-term impact of COVID-19 infection on patients who sustain a hip fracture. The International Multicentre Project Auditing COVID-19 in Trauma & Orthopaedics (IMPACT) formed the largest multicentre collaborative audit conducted in orthopaedics in order to provide an emergency response to a global pandemic, but this was in the context of many vital established audit services being disrupted at an early stage, and it is crucial that these resources are protected during future health crises. Rapid data-sharing between regions should be developed, with wider adoption of the revised 2022 Fragility Fracture Network Minimum Common Data Set for Hip Fracture Audit, and a pragmatic approach to information governance processes in order to facilitate cooperation and meta-audit. This editorial aims to: 1) identify issues related to COVID-19 that require further research; 2) suggest reporting standards for studies of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases; 3) consider the requirement of new risk scores for hip fracture patients; and 4) present the lessons learned from IMPACT in order to inform future collaborative studies. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(6):342-345.

Developing a minimum common dataset for hip fracture audit to help countries set up national audits that can support international comparisons.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to explore current use of the Global Fragility Fracture Network (FFN) Minimum Common Dataset (MCD) within established national hip fracture registries, and to propose a revised MCD to enable international benchmarking for hip fracture care. METHODS: We compared all ten established national hip fracture registries: England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; Scotland; Australia and New Zealand; Republic of Ireland; Germany; the Netherlands; Sweden; Norway; Denmark; and Spain. We tabulated all questions included in each registry, and cross-referenced them against the 32 questions of the MCD dataset. Having identified those questions consistently used in the majority of national audits, and which additional fields were used less commonly, we then used consensus methods to establish a revised MCD. RESULTS: A total of 215 unique questions were used across the ten registries. Only 72 (34%) were used in more than one national audit, and only 32 (15%) by more than half of audits. Only one registry used all 32 questions from the 2014 MCD, and five questions were only collected by a single registry. Only 21 of the 32 questions in the MCD were used in the majority of national audits. Only three fields (anaesthetic grade, operation, and date/time of surgery) were used by all ten established audits. We presented these findings at the Asia-Pacific FFN meeting, and used an online questionnaire to capture feedback from expert clinicians from different countries. A draft revision of the MCD was then presented to all 95 nations represented at the Global FFN conference in September 2021, with online feedback again used to finalize the revised MCD. CONCLUSION: The revised MCD will help aspirant nations establish new registry programmes, facilitate the integration of novel analytic techniques and greater multinational collaboration, and serve as an internationally-accepted standard for monitoring and improving hip fracture services. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(6):721-728.

ACCEPTABILITY OF REMOTE CONSULTING DURING COVID-19 AMONG PATIENTS WITH TWO COMMON LONGTERM MUSCULOSKELETAL CONDITIONS: FINDINGS FROM THREE QUALITATIVE STUDIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Background/Aims The COVID-19 pandemic led to the widespread adoption of remote consultations. Whilst remote consultations offer many potential advantages to patients and healthcare services, they are unlikely to be suitable for all. Guidance encourages clinicians to consider patient preferences when choosing face-to-face vs remote consultations. However, little is known about acceptability of, and preferences for remote consultations, particularly amongst patients with musculoskeletal conditions. This study aimed to explore the acceptability of, and preferences for, remote consultations among patients with osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Methods Data for this study derived from three UK qualitative studies: iFraP (improving fracture prevention study), Blast Off (BO;Bisphosphonate aLternAtive regimenS for the prevenTion of Osteoporotic Fragility Fractures), and ERA (Exploring people with Rheumatoid Arthritis' experience of the pandemic). Each study explored patient experiences of accessing and receiving healthcare during the pandemic year. Transcripts from each data set relating to remote consulting were extracted. A minimum of two study team members worked independently, following a consistent approach, to conduct a rapid deductive analysis using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA). The TFA consists of 7 constructs to understand acceptability of, in this context, remote consultations, including: affective attitudes;intervention coherence;perceived effectiveness;burden;self-efficacy;opportunity- costs;and ethicality. Following coding, the findings of all three studies were pooled. Analysis was facilitated by group meetings to discuss interpretations. Results Findings from 1 focus group and 64 interviews with 35 people, who had mostly experienced telephone consultations, were included the analysis. Participants' emotional attitudes to remote consultations, views on fairness (ethicality) and sense making (intervention coherence) varied according to their specific needs for the consultation and values, relative to the pandemic context;participants perceived remote consultations as making more sense and being 'fairer' earlier in the pandemic. Some participants valued the reduced burden associated with remote consultations, while others highly valued, and did not want to give up, non-verbal communication or physical examination associated with face-to-face consults (opportunity costs);although perceived need for physical examination in participants with RA was associated with strong preference for face-to-face consultations, asymptomatic participants with RA and osteoporosis also expressed similar strong preferences. Some participants described low confidence (self-efficacy) in being able to communicate in remote consultations and others perceived remote consultations as ineffective, in part due to suboptimal communication. Conclusion Acceptability of, and preferences for remote consultation appear to be influenced by a range of societal, healthcare provider and personal factors and in this study, were not fixed, or condition-dependent. Remote care by default has the potential to exacerbate health inequalities and needs nuanced implementation. The findings have supported the development of patient-centred recommendations for practice that should be considered alongside clinician-focused recommendations when deciding whether remote consultations are appropriate.

FRACTURE LIAISON SERVICE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS AGED 85 AND OLDER WHO SUSTAIN FRAGILITY FRACTURES: AUDIT AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

Background/Aims Osteoporosis is a burdensome disease internationally, that is commonly diagnosed following fragility fracture. In line with national guidance, in 2018 the North Staffordshire Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) changed their management policy of patients aged ≥85 years who sustain fragility fractures. Instead of calling these patients for a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan, a letter was sent to the patient's General Practitioner, advising the empirical commencement of oral bisphosphonates. This audit aimed to evaluate whether the recommendations in this letter were enacted by GPs. Following audit, the text of the letter was changed, and a re-audit conducted to evaluate changes in practice. Methods Patients aged ≥85 years sustaining a fragility fracture between December 2018 and October 2020 were identified from FLS records. Summary Care Records (SCRs) were used to identify whether each patient was receiving a bisphosphonate prescription at time of audit (October 2020). Analysis was descriptive, to report the proportion of patients prescribed a bisphosphonate. Quality improvement methodology informed changes to the standard letter, using GP feedback. Re-audit of fragility fractures occurring between December 2020 and May 2021 was undertaken in July 2021 to assess possible impact. Results 408 eligible patients were identified in the initial audit, of which 79% were female. SCR data was available for 396 patients;median time between fracture and data collection was 9 months. 160 patients (40%) had a bisphosphonate prescribed as an acute or repeat prescription, of which >90% were alendronic acid. Following the first audit cycle, the letter was changed to address barriers to clinical decision-making including advice on relative contraindications and referral. 74 patient SCRs were reviewed in the 2nd audit cycle (85% female) and 38 (51%) were recorded as prescribed a bisphosphonate (median time between fracture and assessment 5-months). Conclusion Rates of bisphosphonate prescribing, in people aged ≥85 following a recommendation letter sent to the GP, have increased from 40% to 51% following quality improvement initiative. Furthermore, the proportion of patients prescribed a bisphosphonate is similar to previous national data in patients post-DXA. This is of interest, particularly given the de-prioritisation of non-communicable diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic, and demonstrates that an intervention which requires little time, can result in changes in practice. Limitations of this work include that the SCR only includes contemporaneous prescribing data so the period of time between drug recommendation and audit was different in 1st and 2nd cycles, meaning that adherence may be expected to be higher in the 2nd cycle, because the period of time between letter and data collection was shorter, and not because of a change in our intervention.

Has a change in established care pathways during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic led to an excess death rate in the fragility fracture population? A longitudinal cohort study of 1846 patients.

OBJECTIVE: During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, changes to established care pathways and discharge thresholds for patients with fragility fractures were made. This was to increase hospital bed capacity and minimise the inpatient risk of contracting COVID-19. This study aims to identify the excess death rate in this population during the first wave of the pandemic. DESIGN: A longitudinal cohort study of patients with fragility fractures identified by specific International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 codes. The first wave of the pandemic was defined as the 3-month period between 1 March and 1 June 2020. The control group presented between 1 March and 1 June 2019. SETTING: Two acute National Health Service hospitals within the East Midlands region of England. PARTICIPANTS: 1846 patients with fragility fractures over the aforementioned two specified matched time points. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Four-month mortality of all patients with fragility fractures with a subanalysis of patients with fragility hip fractures. RESULTS: 832 patients with fragility fracture were admitted during the pandemic period (104 diagnosed with COVID-19). 1014 patients presented with fragility fractures in the control group. Mortality in patients with fragility fracture without COVID-19 was significantly higher among pandemic period admissions (14.7%) than the pre-pandemic cohort (10.2%) (HR=1.86; 95% CI 1.41 to 2.45; p<0.001) adjusted for age and sex. Length of stay was shorter during the pandemic period (effect size=-4.2 days; 95% CI -5.8 to -3.1, p<0.001). Subanalysis of patients with fragility hip fracture revealed a mortality of 8.4% in the pre-pandemic cohort, and 15.48% during pandemic admissions with no COVID-19 diagnosis (HR=2.08; 95% CI 1.11 to 3.90; p=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant increase in excess death, not explained by confirmed COVID-19 infections. Altered care pathways and aggressive discharge criteria during the pandemic are likely responsible for the increase in excess deaths.

Early Outcomes of Elderly Hip Fracture Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Report from the Philippines

Introduction: The multidisciplinary model of management for fragility hip fractures has only been recently introduced in the Philippines. Its development at the national and local level is made more difficult by the COVID-19 pandemic. To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide a comprehensive report on the clinical characteristics, current management and early outcomes of fragility hip fracture patients admitted during the COVID-19 pandemic in the setting of a country with an emerging economy. Methods: A multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted in the Philippines involving 12 hospitals from June 16, 2020 to February 28, 2021 during the Extended Community Quarantine Period during the COVID-19 pandemic. The clinico-demographic characteristics, treatments, and follow-up data at 30 days post-injury were gathered using the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCAP) database system, using a minimum common data (MCD) which was adopted from the FFN MCD. Results: A total of 158 elderly patients (>60 years old) with fragility hip fractures were eligible for the study. 9 patients (5.7%) were confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19 infection. The median time of injury-to-admission was at least 3 (IQR: 1.0-13.7) days. 80% of the patients underwent surgical intervention with a median time from admission-to-surgery of at least 5 (IQR: 2.5-13.6) days. Notably, all non-COVID admitted patients had not been reported to have contracted the virus during their hospital stay. The 30-day mortality and morbidity rate for acute fragility fractures were 3.7%. Only the presence of a COVID-19 infection was found to be an independent and poor predictor for early mortality (P = 0.010). Conservatively managed patients had a significantly higher morbidity rate than surgically treated patients (13.6% vs 1.8%;P = 0.031). All five deaths occurred in non-surgical patients with an ASA grade of at least III. Conclusion: We recommend prompt admission and multidisciplinary care for elderly hip fracture patients even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Short-term outcomes remain favorable for non-COVID patients with acute fragility fractures treated with surgery. While a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection was the only significant and independent pre-operative risk factor for early mortality, there is evidence in the literature as well as in this study that the benefit of surgery may well outweigh the risk of conservatively treating COVID-19 patients provided that they can be optimized appropriately for surgery.

Measuring the Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Mobility in Older Patients with a Fragility Fracture Using the New Mobility Score

Introduction: The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020. In Ireland, public health restrictions were implemented with specific measures for older adults who were advised to 'cocoon' or remain at home as much as possible. While this has a positive effect on disease spread, a reduction in physical activity in older individuals even for short periods has been shown to increase the risk of falls and fractures as well as all-cause mortality. The New Mobility Score (NMS) stratifies patients with fractures according to pre-fracture mobility based on the ability to perform three activities;indoor walking, outdoor walking and shopping. The NMS is an independent predictor of in-hospital outcome and a cutoff score of 5 has been found to be a valid predictor of 6-month functional level and 1-year mortality. Using the NMS score, we evaluated patient mobility pre and post implementation of restrictions. We also obtained basic data, information on the frequency of patient falls pre and post restrictions together with Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). Methods: We prospectively studied 50 patients admitted following a fracture and reviewed by our Orthogeriatric team at our hospital from August-October 2020. Results: The mean age was 80 years [range 53-99], over 80% (41) were over 70 years and 43 (86%) were female. A hip fracture (78%) was the most common reason for admission and the mean CFS was 4 [Range 1-7] classifying our cohort as living with very mild frailty. There was a statistically significant difference in mean NMS with a lower mean NMS post implementation of COVID-19 restrictions compared to pre restrictions;[5 [SD 2.19] vs 6.5 [SD 2.15] [P = 0.0074]]. There was no difference in the mean number of falls pre and post restrictions [pre COVID-19;1.1 [S.D 2.3] and post COVID-19 1.9 [S.D 1.9] [P = 0.0609]. Conclusion: Our study has shown that in a vulnerable cohort of patients, COVID-19 restrictions have significantly impacted patient mobility over a short period of time. Our results show that as result of the reduction in mobility following implementation of COVID-19 restrictions, our patients are less likely to regain pre-fracture functional level and are at a higher risk of all-cause mortality. As further public health restrictions are implemented across the world to control the spread of COVID-19, public health strategies and advice for older people should be prioritised to maintain mobility and physical activity and prevent adverse outcomes.

Orthopaedic Rehabilitation is Associated with Better Outcomes in Orthopaedic Patients with COVID-19

Introduction: The geriatric patient cohort is at high risk of falling and sustaining a fragility fracture, leading to an admission to the orthopaedic rehabilitation ward. Outbreaks of COVID-19 on wards were a common occurrence, with 13% of cases classified as 'healthcare acquired'. This study examines a group in whom these two scenarios coincided, those who sustained a fragility fracture, and later contracted COVID-19 during their rehabilitation stay. The study aims to identify whether access to orthopaedic rehabilitation services during the acute phase of COVID-19 was associated with better patient outcomes. Methods: A retrospective, cohort observational study was carried out. Data from 26 rehabilitation patients aged over 65 years with confirmed COVID-19 at two Irish orthopaedic rehabilitation wards were collected from health records. Symptom profile, COVID-19 severity level based on Irish Thoracic Society guidelines, Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatric (CIRS-G) scores and radiological data were reviewed and compared with outcomes from a similar study carried out in the hospital setting. Results: Patient mortality rate was 7.7% (n = 2) in the orthopaedic rehabilitation population compared to 23.2% (n = 16) in the acute hospital orthopaedic population. Median survivor age was 79.5 years (IQR 70-85.5) and 81.5 years (IQR 76.5-86.5), respectively. Mean CFS was 4.15 (SD 1.6) and 5 (SD 1.6), respectively. Mean CIRS-G scores were 10.6 (SD 4.3) and 8.19 (SD 4.4). Most patients were categorised as mild COVID-19 cases (n = 25, 96%), (n = 56, 81.1%). Eight patients (n = 8, 30.8%) in rehabilitation group were asymptomatic compared to five (n = 5, 7%) in the acute hospital group. Atypical symptom presentation was 15.4% (n = 4) and 7% (n = 5) respectively. Delirium was noted in 11.6% (n = 3) of rehabilitation patients compared to 30.4% (n = 21) of acute patients. Non-invasive ventilation was required in 3.8% (n = 1) of rehab patients and 2.9% (n = 2) of acute hospital patients. Conclusion: Orthopaedic rehabilitation patients were younger, less frail, had a milder COVID-19 disease profile and lower mortality rate when compared with orthopaedic patients in the acute hospital setting. Rehabilitation patients had lower rates of reported delirium. Rehabilitation patients' better outcomes may have been associated with an increased accessibility to allied healthcare, increased time between sustaining a fragility fracture and being diagnosed with COVID-19 and a hospital environment more conducive to recuperation.

Multidisciplinary Management of an Outbreak of COVID-19 on an Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Ward: A Description of Outcomes

Introduction: In January 2021, Ireland was undergoing the 'Third Wave' of COVID-19, with almost 2,000 persons hospitalised with COVID-19. Over 50% of all COVID-19-related deaths in the EU have occurred in those aged 80 years and older. The same patient cohort is also at high risk sustaining a fragility fracture, leading to an admission to the orthopaedic rehabilitation ward. This study examines a patient group in whom these two scenarios coincided, describing a patient cohort who having sustained a fragility fracture, later contracted COVID-19. This study aims to describe the characteristics and outcomes of orthopaedic rehabilitation patients with COVID-19 and to examine the response of an orthopaedic rehabilitation ward to an outbreak of COVID-19. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study. Data from 26 hospitalised patients aged over 65 years with COVID-19 at an Irish orthopaedic rehabilitation ward was collected. Symptom profile, degree of COVID-19 severity, Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), Charleston co-morbidity scores, laboratory and radiological data were reviewed. Individual treatment pathways were recorded for each patient. Infection control records were reviewed to examine the response of the ward to an outbreak of COVID-19. Results: Patient mortality rate was 7.7% (n = 2). Median survivor age was 79.5 years (IQR 70-85.5). Mean CFS and Charleston Co-morbidity scores were 4.15;(SD1.6) and 5.08, respectively. The majority of patients (n = 25, 96%) were categorised as mild COVID-19 cases. Delirium was noted in more than 10% of patients (n = 3, 11.6%). One patient (n = 1, 3.8%) required non-invasive ventilation. In those whose disease was classifies as severe (n = 2, 7.7%), intubation/resuscitation were not deemed appropriate and when they deteriorated, comfort measures were taken. The majority of patients (n = 21, 81%) were able to return home upon discharge. Three patients (11.5%) had increased care needs and required long term care to be arranged. Conclusion: An outbreak of COVID-19 requires a multidisciplinary approach with a focus on not only medical management but also clinical workforce management, patient flow, management of access to the wards and information and communications management. The overall outcomes in this group, including mortality and proportion discharged to long term care, were positive when compared to similar cohorts of elderly hospitalised patients with COVID-19. These outcomes support a multidisciplinary model of care.

Asia Pacific Fragility Fracture Alliance Primary Care Toolkit: Empowering Fragility Fracture Education

Introduction: The Asia Pacific Fragility Fracture Alliance (APFFA) is a federation committed to reducing the burden of low trauma fracture throughout the region. Education on fracture prevention to those at the forefront of patient care is an important part of this effort. Methods: APFFA has curated educational materials developed by others (https://apfracturealliance.org/education-directory/) and developed a Primary Care Physician (PCP) Education Toolkit (https://apfracturealliance.org/education-toolkit/). Here we describe the toolkit and report its introduction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The PCP Education Toolkit is designed as a half-day educational program together with supporting resources to highlight the role of primary care providers in this effort. The educational program includes a lecture focused on the burden of fracture, a lecture focused on clinical assessment of fracture risk, a discussion kit, and materials to assist with meeting planning. The discussion kit is designed to be adaptable to local practices and constraints. The supporting material features a patient handbook that gives practical advice on nutrition, home safety, and issues to be raised during medical encounters. COVID-19 hampered rollout of these materials. In addition, APFFA has relied on its constituent organizations to provide educational content to promote best practices in acute fracture management, rehabilitation, and secondary fracture prevention through the development of an education directory. The directory includes synopses and links to high quality materials from around the world. Conclusion: The PCP Education Toolkit was designed with the expectation that the program would be presented as live meetings. The pandemic made this infeasible. Despite the restrictions, the PCP Education Toolkit materials have been enthusiastically received in New Zealand and disseminated by Osteoporosis NZ. As the world emerges from the pandemic, we are looking to present this material in more venues in 2022 and beyond. The toolkit is available free of charge at the above address.

Effect of Covid-19 on Fragility Fracture Admission in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Malaysia

Introduction: COVID-19 has led to a change in the health-seeking behaviour and the delivery of healthcare. Globally, fragility fracture admissions have reduced by 0-54% depending on location. When Malaysia implemented the third movement control order on 3 May 2021 in response to increasing COVID-19 cases, the number of orthopaedic beds in the University Malaya Medical Centre was reduced from over a hundred to twenty-eight. To date, the impact of COVID-19 on fragility fracture admission in Malaysia is unknown. This study aims to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 cases and fragility fracture admissions to a tertiary hospital in Malaysia. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted from April to June 2021 in the University Malaya Medical Centre. The patients admitted to the University Malaya Medical Centre with fragility fractures between April and June 2021 were identified and compared to the corresponding periods in 2018. Patients <50 years old and those who had fractures due to cancer were excluded. The relationship between the total number of COVID-19 cases per week and weekly fragility fractures admissions were determined. Results: A total of 406,479 COVID-19 cases were reported over 3 months (April, n = 63,213;May, n = 163,644;June, n = 179,622). Fifty-five patients [mean age (78.9±8.6), female (44/55,80%), hip fractures (36/55,65.5%)] were admitted in April-June 2021, which was a 35.3% reduction when compared to the same period in 2018 [n = 85, mean age (75.1±9.9), female (62/85,72.9%), hip fractures (53/85,62.4%)], although no significant difference was found between the baseline characteristics. However, both fragility fracture and hip fracture admissions were found to be negatively correlated (r =-0.76 and r =-0.75) with the COVID-19 cases (P < 0.01). Twelve (12/51,23.5%) patients admitted in 2021 due to post-fall fragility fractures presented to the hospital more than a day after their injury. The proportion of patients with delayed presentation (>1 day post-fall) increased over the study period (April = 5/26, 19.2%;May = 3/13, 23.1%;June = 4/12, 33.3%). Conclusion: There was a reduction in fragility fracture admissions during the COVID outbreak in Malaysia. There might be a rebound in cases after the COVID crisis is over, reorganising medical services may be warranted to ensure effective fracture care delivery.