Predictors of mortality one year after pelvic fractures in an older population: a retrospective cohort study.

The goal was to investigate if patient characteristics can be used to predict 1-year post-fracture mortality after pelvic fracture. Multivariate logistic regression identified male gender, comorbidities and presence of in-hospital complications as predictors of 1-year mortality. PURPOSE: Osteoporotic pelvic fractures have significant mortality and morbidity in the older population. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors predicting one-year mortality of patients sustaining a low-impact pelvic fracture (pelvic ring and acetabulum). METHODS: A total of 282 patients aged ≥ 65 years presenting with a low-energy pelvic ring (n =254) or acetabular (n =28) fracture to the emergency department at the University Hospitals Leuven were included. Demographic and clinical data were retrospectively collected and predictors for mortality one year after pelvic ring fractures were evaluated. RESULTS: The one-year mortality after osteoporotic pelvic ring fractures and acetabular fractures was respectively 20.4% (95% CI 15.7-26.0) and 14% (95% CI 4.0-32.7). Multivariate logistic regression adjusted for confounders identified male gender (OR 3.18; 95% CI (1.06-9.49), p =0.038), a higher number of comorbidities (OR 1.5; 95% CI (1.16-1.95), p =0.002) and in-hospital complications (OR 5.00; 95% CI (1.39-17.97), p =0.014) as independent predictors of one-year mortality after pelvic ring fractures. CONCLUSION: The one-year mortality after low-energy pelvic is high and can be predicted by different patient characteristics. These findings can guide pelvis fracture treatment decisions in the older population.

From research to daily clinical practice: implementation of orthogeriatric co-management in the trauma ward.

Introduction: Evidence strongly suggests that orthogeriatric co-management improves patient outcomes in frail older patients with a fracture, but evidence regarding how to implement this model of care in daily clinical practice is scarce. In this paper, we first describe the implementation process and selection of implementation strategies for an orthogeriatric co-management program in the traumatology ward of the University Hospitals Leuven in Belgium. Second, we report the results of a multi-method feasibility study. This study (1) measures the fidelity towards the program's core components, (2) quantifies the perceived feasibility and acceptability by the healthcare professionals, and (3) defines implementation determinants. Methods: Implementation strategies were operationalized based on the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) guidelines. In the feasibility study, fidelity towards the core components of the program was measured in a group of 15 patients aged 75 years and over by using electronic health records. Feasibility and acceptability as perceived by the involved healthcare professionals was measured using a 15-question survey with a 5-point Likert scale. Implementation determinants were mapped thematically based on seven focus group discussions and two semi-structured interviews by focusing on the healthcare professionals' experiences. Results: We observed low fidelity towards completion of a screening questionnaire to map the premorbid situation (13%), but high fidelity towards the other program core components: multidimensional evaluation (100%), development of an individual care plan (100%), and systematic follow-up (80%). Of the 50 survey respondents, 94% accepted the program and 62% perceived it as feasible. Important implementation determinants were feasibility, awareness and familiarity, and improved communication between healthcare professionals that positively influenced program adherence. Conclusions: Fidelity, acceptability, and feasibility of an orthogeriatric co-management program were high as a result of an iterative process of selecting implementation strategies with intensive stakeholder involvement from the beginning. Clinical trial registration: [https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN20491828], International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) Registry: [ISRCTN20491828]. Registered on October 11, 2021.

Skeletal response to teriparatide in real-life setting: effects of age, baseline bone density and prior denosumab use.

OBJECTIVES: Teriparatide (TPD) is an osteoanabolic agent used in patients with high osteoporotic fracture risk. Predictors of therapeutic response to TPD in real-life setting are not well characterised. This study investigated the influence of previous antiresorptive therapy, age and other patient characteristics on the skeletal response to TPD. METHODS: Retrospective study at the metabolic bone clinic, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium. Patients with osteoporosis and a high fracture burden received TPD for 9-18 months. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at baseline, 9 and 18 months at lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN) and total hip (TH). RESULTS: BMD at LS increased at 9 months (change mean (standard error) 6.8 % (0.7) p < 0.001) and at 18 months (8.0 % (0.9) p < 0.001), while BMD at FN and TH did not change significantly. Non-response in BMD change at the LS was seen with prior denosumab use (odds ratio 0.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.049-0.912, p = 0.037). Changes in BMD at TH were significantly greater in younger patients and in patients with a lower baseline BMD. CONCLUSION: TPD-induced changes in BMD at TH might depend on age and baseline BMD and at LS on prior denosumab use. The results suggest that these factors may be relevant for clinical decision making when initiating TPD treatment, although larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Prognostic factors and prediction model for 1-year mortality after proximal humeral fracture.

The goal was to investigate if patient characteristics can be used to predict 1-year post-fracture mortality after proximal humeral fracture (PHF). A clinical prediction model showed that the combination of 6 pre-fracture characteristics demonstrated good predictive properties for mortality within 1 year of PHF. INTRODUCTION: Proximal humeral fractures (PFH) are the third most common major non-vertebral osteoporotic fractures in older persons and result in an increased mortality risk. The aim of this study was to investigate if patient characteristics can be used to predict 1-year post-fracture mortality. METHODS: Retrospective study with 261 patients aged 65 and older who were treated for a PHF in University Hospitals Leuven between 2016 and 2018. Baseline variables including demographics, residential status, and comorbidities were collected. The primary outcome was 1-year mortality. A clinical prediction model was developed using LASSO regression and validated using split sample and bootstrapping methods. The discrimination and calibration were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-seven (10.3%) participants died within 1-year post-PHF. Pre-fracture independent ambulation (p < 0.001), living at home at time of fracture (p < 0.001), younger age (p = 0.006), higher BMI (p = 0.012), female gender (p = 0.014), and low number of comorbidities (p < 0.001) were predictors for 1-year survival. LASSO regression identified 6 stable predictors for a prediction model: age, gender, Charlson comorbidity score, BMI, cognitive impairment, and pre-fracture nursing home residency. The discrimination was 0.891 (95% CI, 0.833 to 0.949) in the training sample, 0.878 (0.792 to 0.963) in the validation sample and 0.756 (0.636 to 0.876) in the bootstrapping samples. A similar performance was observed for patients with and without surgery. The developed model demonstrated good calibration. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of 6 pre-fracture characteristics demonstrated good predictive properties for mortality within 1 year of PHF. These findings can guide PHF treatment decisions.

Orthogeriatric co-management for older patients with a major osteoporotic fracture: Protocol of an observational pre-post study.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporotic fractures are associated with postoperative complications, increased mortality, reduced quality of life, and excessive costs. The care for older patients with a fracture is often complex due to multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and presence of geriatric syndromes requiring a holistic multidisciplinary approach based on a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Nurse-led geriatric co-management has proven to prevent functional decline and complications, and improve quality of life. The aim of this study is to prove that nurse-led orthogeriatric co-management in patients with a major osteoporotic fracture is more effective than inpatient geriatric consultation to prevent in-hospital complications and several secondary outcomes in at least a cost-neutral manner. METHODS: An observational pre-post study will be performed on the traumatology ward of the University Hospitals Leuven in Belgium including 108 patients aged 75 years and older hospitalized with a major osteoporotic fracture in each cohort. A feasibility study was conducted after the usual care cohort and prior to the intervention cohort to measure fidelity to the intervention components. The intervention includes proactive geriatric care based on automated protocols for the prevention of common geriatric syndromes, a comprehensive geriatric evaluation followed by multidisciplinary interventions, and systematic follow-up. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients having one or more in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes include functional status, instrumental activities of daily living status, mobility status, nutritional status, in-hospital cognitive decline, quality of life, return to pre-fracture living situation, unplanned hospital readmissions, incidence of new falls, and mortality. A process evaluation and cost-benefit analysis will also be conducted. DISCUSSION: This study wants to prove the beneficial impact of orthogeriatric co-management in improving patient outcomes and costs in a heterogenous population in daily clinical practice with the ambition of long-term sustainability of the intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) Registry: ISRCTN20491828. Registered on October 11, 2021, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN20491828.

A translational assessment of preclinical versus clinical tools for the measurement of cardiac contractility: comparison of LV dP/dt(max) with echocardiography in telemetry implanted beagle dogs.

INTRODUCTION: Regarding evaluation of drug-induced changes in left ventricular contractility in safety pharmacology there is still a gap in knowledge between preclinically and clinically used measurements. METHODS: As a step towards translation of preclinical to clinical outcomes, this study in telemetered dogs was initiated to compare indexes of contractility, such as LV dP/dt(max) (contractility measured as the maximum raise of pressure in the left ventricle) and LV dP/dt(max)/P (contractility measured as the maximum raise of pressure in the left ventricle, corrected for pressure) (telemetry; both commonly preclinically used) and EF (ejection fraction) and FS (fractional shortening) (echocardiography; both commonly clinically used). Different inotropic states were induced by minoxidil, milrinone, isoprenaline, clonidine, atenolol and verapamil. RESULTS: Both techniques demonstrated reproducible changes in contractility which showed a clear linear association. A change in LV dP/dt(max) of 1000 mmHg/s (in the range of 2500 to 7500 mmHg/s; in healthy dogs) corresponded with a change in ejection fraction of approximately 7% and a fractional shortening of approximately 6%. A change of 10/s LV dP/dt(max)/P (in the range of 35 to 85/s; in healthy dogs) corresponded with a change in ejection fraction of approximately 7% and a fractional shortening of 7%. DISCUSSION: The correlation found in this study could potentially enable a better--translational--assessment of the clinical relevance of changes in contractility indices measured with telemetry devices in preclinical safety studies.

ECG arrhythmias in non-implanted vs. telemetry-implanted dogs: need for screening before and sufficient recovery time after implantation.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was: (1) to characterize and assess the incidence of spontaneous arrhythmias in totally naive Beagle dogs (n=51; 10 males+41 females): (2) to study the effects of permanent ECG- and LVP-probe telemetry implants both acutely and up to 233days after surgery in a subset of 11 female Beagle dogs. METHODS: Naive ECG assessments were conducted by means of 6 external telemetry leads in jacketed dogs. Telemetry ECG recordings were captured by means of implanted telemetry devices suitable for ECG, LVP and aortic blood pressure recording. Experienced laboratory personnel visually evaluated all 22h ECG recordings at different time points after implantation and evaluated the incidence and type of arrhythmia. RESULTS: The 51 healthy and totally naive Beagle dogs showed a prevalence of: 49.0% 2°AVB; 58.8% single atrial premature complexes; 17.6% junctional tachycardia; 27.5% ventricular complexes; 13.7% ventricular escape complexes; 21.6% ventricular premature complexes; 3.9% runs of ventricular complexes; 3.9% runs of ventricular escape complexes. As such, a high percentage of clinically normal Beagle dogs showed different types of arrhythmias when ECG's obtained by external telemetry leads were fully evaluated for a 22h period. The chronic implantation of a ventricular probe through the apex of the heart in 11 dogs only, resulted in higher incidences and frequencies of ventricular episodes, which (in some dogs) extended up to 8weeks. Eight months after surgery none of the implanted dogs showed ventricular tachycardia and only 10% had single ventricular or ventricular premature complexes at low frequencies. DISCUSSION: A thorough evaluation of the ECG's of Beagle dogs selected for telemetry implantation can help to avoid inherent arrhythmia-burdened dogs being implanted and used in studies where these arrhythmias will confound drug assessment by increasing the number of potential false positives.