Association of two geriatric treatment systems with anti-osteoporotic drug treatment and second hip fracture in patients with an index hip fracture: retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In Germany, geriatricians deliver acute geriatric care during acute hospital stay and post-acute rehabilitation after transfer to a rehabilitation clinic. The rate patients receive acute geriatric care (AGC) or are transferred to post-acute rehabilitation (TPR) differs between hospitals. This study analyses the association between the two geriatric treatment systems (AGC, TPR) and second hip fracture in patients following an index hip fracture. METHODS: Nationwide health insurance data are used to identify the rate of AGC and TPR per hospital following hip fracture surgery in patients aged ≥ 80 years. Outcomes are a second hip fracture after surgery or after discharge within 180 or 360 days and new specific anti-osteoporotic drugs. Cox proportional hazard models and generalised linear models are applied. RESULTS: Data from 29,096 hip fracture patients from 652 hospitals were analysed. AGC and TPR are not associated with second hip fracture when follow-up started after surgery. However, during the first months after discharge patients from hospitals with no AGC or low rates of TPR have higher rates of second hip fracture than patients from hospitals with high rates of AGC or high rates of TPR (Hazard Ratio (95% CI) 1.35 (1.01-1.80) or 1.35 (1.03-1.79), respectively). Lower rates of AGC are associated with lower probabilities of new prescriptions of specific anti-osteoporotic drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests beneficial relationships of geriatric treatment after hip fracture with a) the risk of second hip fractures during the first months after discharge and b) an improvement of anti-osteoporotic drug treatment.

Coping as a resource to allow for psychosocial adjustment in fatal disease: results from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disorder, which imposes a severe emotional burden on patients. Appropriate coping mechanisms may alleviate this burden and facilitate wellbeing, with social support known to be a successful coping strategy. This observational study aimed to determine the interplay of general coping traits of hope for success and fear of failure, coping behavior of social activity, and patients' wellbeing. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients with ALS from a clinical-epidemiological registry in Southwestern Germany were interviewed regarding coping traits (achievement-motivated behavior: hope for success and fear of failure), coping behavior of social activity, and psychosocial adjustment, determined using measures of depressiveness, anxiety [both measured by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)], and quality of life [Anamnestic Comparative Self-Assessment (ACSA)]. Demographics, clinical [ALS Functional Rating Scale revised version (ALSFRS-R)], and survival data were recorded. Results: A total of 868 patients [60.70% male patients, mean age: 64.70 (±10.83) years, mean ALSFRS-R: 37.36 ± 7.07] were interviewed. Anxiety in patients was found to be associated with a high fear of failure. In contrast, a generally positive attitude in patients exemplified in high hopes for success was associated with better wellbeing. Finally, coping behavior of social activity explained up to 65% of the variance of depressiveness among the patients with ALS. Conclusion: In this study, we present evidence that the wellbeing of patients with ALS is not an immediate fatalistic consequence of physical degradation but rather determined by coping traits and behavior, which may be trained to substantially increase the wellbeing of patients with ALS.

Substituting Book Reading for Screen Time Benefits Preschoolers' Sleep Health: Results from the Ulm SPATZ Health Study.

Purpose: Healthy sleep is essential for the physical, cognitive, and social development of children. Several studies have reported the increase in digital media use in preschool children and its association with impaired sleep. However, there is relatively little evidence on the effects of book reading as a potentially safe alternative. The objective of this study, therefore, was to investigate whether sleep in children could benefit from book reading, and whether the negative effects of media use on sleep can be mitigated by substituting book reading for screen time. Participants and Methods: We used longitudinal data from three consecutive waves of the SPATZ Health study, including children at the ages of 4 (n=581), 5 (n=508), and 6 (n=426) years. All data were collected by self-administered questionnaires. Parent-reported child sleep was assessed by the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire. Results: Across the three waves, screen-based media use increased and was associated with lower sleep quality. In contrast, the time spent with book reading decreased; however, book reading appeared to be beneficial for children's sleep. Substitution models revealed that the theoretical substitution of an equal amount of book reading for 50% of the time spent with screen-based media benefits several domains of preschoolers' sleep health, including parasomnias, sleep anxiety, daytime sleepiness, and sleep onset delay. Conclusion: Besides implications for population-wide and individual prevention, book reading may also be incorporated as a useful intervention to improve sleep quality in children who are already affected by sleep problems. Given that book reading is perceived as a safe alternative, the presented evidence may suffice to support recommendations in this direction.

Post-COVID syndrome and work ability 9-12 months after a SARS-CoV-2 infection among over 9000 employees from the general population.

Objectives: Evidence on the work-related societal impact of long-term health-related consequences following SARS-CoV-2 is emerging. We characterize the modified work ability index (mWAI) of employees 6 to 12 months after an acute infection compared to pre-infection. Methods: Analyses were based on a population-based, multi-center cross-sectional study including employees aged 18-65 years with positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (tested between October 2020-April 2021 in defined geographic regions in Germany). Prevalences and results of adjusted logistic regression analyses were given. Results: In 9752 employees (mean age 45.6 years, 58% females, response 24%), n = 1217 (13.1%) participants were regarded as having low mWAI compared to pre-infection. Outpatient medical treatment, inpatient treatment, and admission to intensive care during infection were associated with mWAI <15th percentile (P15, each odds ratio [OR] >3.0). Post-COVID symptom clusters most strongly linked to mWAI

Relationship between hemoglobin and grip strength in older adults: the ActiFE study.

INTRODUCTION: Although anemia is associated with low muscle strength, hemoglobin has been rarely studied considering ferritin. AIM: To analyze the association between hemoglobin and grip strength in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: We used data from a German cohort of adults ≥ 65 years, excluding those with CRP > 10 mg/L or taking iron supplements. Grip strength (kg) was measured using a Jamar dynamometer. Analysis was performed using multiple linear regression, adjusted for established confounders. Due to interaction, age-stratified (< 80, 80 +), further sex-stratified analysis in those < 80 years old and ferritin-stratified in men < 80 years were performed. RESULTS: In total, 1294 participants were included in this analysis (mean age 75.5 years, 549 (42.3%) women, 910 (70.3%) < 80 years). On average, hemoglobin and grip strength were 14.9 g/dL and 41.3 kg for men, 13.9 g/dL and 25.1 kg for women. Hemoglobin was significantly positively associated with grip strength only among women < 80 years (ß 0.923 [95% CI 0.196, 1.650]). For men < 80 years, the association was significant when ferritin was ≥ 300 µg/L (ß 2.028 [95% CI 0.910, 3.146]). No association was detected among those participants 80 + . DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our data show an association between hemoglobin and grip strength only in women < 80 years old. For men < 80 years, the association was only significant with ferritin levels ≥ 300 µg/L. Considering the decreasing levels of hemoglobin and grip strength and the high prevalence of iron deficiency in older adults further analyses investigating this relationship with more iron specific parameters such as transferrin saturation are warranted.

[Cooperation of geriatrics and trauma surgery in certified geriatric trauma centers : Insights into different care models and the implementation of requirements resulting from certification]. / Zusammenarbeit von Geriatrie und Unfallchirurgie in zertifizierten alterstraumatologischen Zentren : Einblicke in unterschiedliche Versorgungsmodelle und in die Umsetzung von Anforderungen, die sich aus der Zertifizierung ergeben.

BACKGROUND: In Germany, different models of orthogeriatric co-management have been implemented in certified geriatric trauma centers. So far, it is not clear how the different models are implemented and what influence the certification has on the structures and processes within the centers. The present study examined the extent of cooperation between surgery and geriatrics and if the quality of care had changed since the certification of the centers. METHODS: In this study 4 guided focus group interviews (FGI) were conducted in different teams of certified geriatric trauma centers in 3 federal states with 16 participants. To specify the content of the FGI, two additional interviews were conducted with system auditors. Both types of interview were analyzed by content analysis. RESULTS: The certification supported the implementation of structures and processes in the different orthogeriatric models; however, the quality of care and cooperation between surgery and geriatrics depends on the spatial proximity and the orthogeriatric care model in the geriatric trauma centers. Simultaneously, challenges in the area of geriatric syndromes and the recruitment of skilled staff became relevant. DISCUSSION: The results can help to reflect processes in the certified geriatric trauma centers and to treat geriatric syndromes more effectively. In the future, the challenge will be to establish geriatric care under the existing shortage of skilled staff.

Evaluation of costs, osteoporosis treatment, and re-fractures in German collaborative orthogeriatric care after fragility fractures.

Orthogeriatric co-management (OGCM) may provide benefits for geriatric fragility fracture patients in terms of more frequent osteoporosis treatment and fewer re-fractures. Yet, we did not find higher costs in OGCM hospitals for re-fractures or antiosteoporotic medication for most fracture sites within 12 months, although antiosteoporotic medication was more often prescribed. PURPOSE: Evidence suggests benefits of orthogeriatric co-management (OGCM) for hip fracture patients. Yet, evidence for other fractures is rare. The aim of our study was to conduct an evaluation of economic and health outcomes after the German OGCM for geriatric fragility fracture patients. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was based on German health and long-term care insurance data. Individuals were 80 years and older, sustained a fragility fracture in 2014-2018, and were treated in hospitals certified for OGCM (ATZ group), providing OGCM without certification (OGCM group) or usual care (control group). Healthcare costs from payer perspective, prescribed medications, and re-fractures were investigated within 6 and 12 months. We used weighted gamma and two-part models and applied entropy balancing to account for the lack of randomization. All analyses were stratified per fracture site. RESULTS: We observed 206,273 patients within 12-month follow-up, of whom 14,100 were treated in ATZ, 133,353 in OGCM, and 58,820 in other hospitals. Total average inpatient costs per patient were significantly higher in the OGCM and particularly ATZ group for all fracture sites, compared to control group. We did not find significant differences in costs for re-fractures or antiosteoporotic medication for most fracture sites, although antiosteoporotic medication was significantly more often observed in the OGCM and particularly ATZ group for hip, pelvic, and humerus fractures. CONCLUSION: The observed healthcare costs were higher in ATZ and OGCM hospitals within 12 months. Antiosteoporotic medication was prescribed more often in both groups for most fracture sites, although the corresponding medication costs did not increase.

Pre-existing sleep problems as a predictor of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19.

Several months after COVID-19 many individuals still report persisting symptoms, the so-called 'post-COVID-19 syndrome'. An immunological dysfunction is one of the main pathophysiological hypotheses. As sleep is central to the functioning of the immune system, we investigated whether self-reported pre-existing sleep disturbance might be an independent risk factor for the development of post-COVID-19 syndrome. A total of 11,710 participants of a cross-sectional survey (all tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2) were classified into probable post-COVID-19 syndrome, an intermediate group, and unaffected participants at an average of 8.5 months after infection. The case definition was based on newly occurring symptoms of at least moderate severity and ≥20% reduction in health status and/or working capacity. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios were calculated to investigate the association between pre-existing sleep disturbances and subsequent development of post-COVID-19 syndrome while controlling for a variety of demographic, lifestyle, and health factors. Pre-existing sleep disturbances were found to be an independent predictor of subsequent probable post-COVID-19 syndrome (adjusted odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 2.27-3.24). Sleep disturbances as part of the post-COVID-19 syndrome were reported by more than half of the participants and appeared to be a new symptom and to occur independent of a mood disorder in most cases. Recognition of disturbed sleep as an important risk factor for post-COVID-19 syndrome should promote improved clinical management of sleep disorders in the context of COVID-19. Further, it may stimulate further research on the effect of improving sleep on the prognosis of COVID-19 long-term sequelae and other post-viral conditions.

Cystatin C based estimation of chronic kidney disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the ALS registry Swabia: associated risk and prognostic value.

Kidney function as part of metabolic changes could be associated with amyotrophic lateral-sclerosis (ALS). We investigated the associations between estimated chronic kidney disease (CKD), based on the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) cystatin C equation, and the risk at onset and prognostic value of CKD for ALS. Between October 2010 and June 2014, 362 ALS cases (59.4% men, mean age 65.7 years) and 681 controls (59.5% men, means age 66.3 years) were included in a population-based case-control study based on the ALS registry Swabia in Southern Germany. All ALS cases were followed-up (median 89.7 months), 317 died. Serum samples were measured for cystatin C to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) according to the CKD-EPI equation. Information on covariates were assessed by an interview-based standardized questionnaire. Conditional logistic regression models were applied to calculate odds ratios (OR) for risk of ALS associated with eGFR/CKD stages. Time-to-death associated with renal parameters at baseline was assessed in ALS cases only. ALS cases were characterized by lower body mass index, slightly lower smoking prevalence, more intense occupational work and lower education than controls. Median serum cystatin-C based eGFR concentrations were lower in ALS cases than in controls (54.0 vs. 59.5 mL/min pro 1.73 m2). The prevalence of CKD stage ≥ 3 was slightly higher in ALS cases than in controls (14.1 vs. 11.0%). In the adjusted models, CKD stage 2 (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.32, 2.52) and stage 3 (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.38, 3.96) were associated with increased ALS risk. In this cohort of ALS cases, eGFR and CKD stage ≥ 3 (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.64, 1.38) were not associated with prognosis. In this case-control study, higher CKD stages were associated with increased ALS risk, while in the prospective cohort of ALS cases, no indication of an association of CysC-based CKD on mortality was seen. In addition, our work strengthens the importance to evaluate renal function using a marker independent of muscle mass in ALS patients.

Relationship of the SITLESS intervention on medication use in community-dwelling older adults: an exploratory study.

Background: Sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) interventions in older adults can improve health outcomes. Problems related with aging include prevalent comorbidity, multiple non-communicable diseases, complaints, and resulting polypharmacy. This manuscript examines the relationship between an intervention aiming at reducing SB on medication patterns. Method: This manuscript presents a local sub-analysis of the SITLESS trial data on medication use. SITLESS was an exercise referral scheme (ERS) enhanced by self-management strategies (SMS) to reduce SB in community-dwelling older adults. We analyzed data from the ERS + SMS, ERS and usual care (UC) groups. Patient medication records were available at baseline and at the end of the intervention (4-month period) and were analyzed to explore the effect of SITLESS on medication patterns of use. Result: A sample of 75 participants was analyzed, mostly older overweight women with poor body composition scores and mobility limitations. There was a significant reduction of 1.6 medicines (SD = 2.7) in the ERS group (p < 0.01), but not in the UC or ERS + SMS groups. Differences were more evident in medicines used for short periods of time. Conclusion: The findings suggest that an exercise-based program enhanced by SMS to reduce SB might influence medication use for acute conditions but there is a need to further investigate effects on long-term medicine use in older adults.

Medical care and biomarker-based assessment of mortality in two cohorts of patients with chronic coronary syndrome 10 years apart.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe the characteristics and mortality of two cohorts of patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) recruited with identical study designs in the same rehabilitation clinics but approximately 10 years apart. METHODS: The KAROLA cohorts included patients with CCS participating in an inpatient cardiac rehabilitation programme in Germany (KAROLA-I: years 1999/2000, KAROLA-II: 2009-2011). Blood samples and information on sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, and medical treatment were collected at baseline, at the end of rehabilitation, and after one year of follow-up. A biomarker-based risk model (ABC-CHD model) and Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate cardiovascular (CV) and non-CV mortality risk. RESULTS: We included 1130 patients from KAROLA-I (mean age 58.7 years, 84.4% men) and 860 from KAROLA-II (mean age 60.4 years, 83.4% men). Patients in the KAROLA-I cohort had significantly higher concentrations of CV biomarkers and fewer patients were taking CV medications, except for statins. The biomarker-based ABC-CHD model provided a higher estimate of CV death risk for patients in the KAROLA-I cohort (median 3-year risk, 3.8%) than for patients in the KAROLA-II cohort (median 3-year risk, 2.7%, p-value for difference < 0.001). After 10 years of follow-up, 91 (8.1%) patients in KAROLA-I and 45 (5.2%) in KAROLA-II had died from a CV event. CONCLUSIONS: Advances in disease management over the past 20 years may have led to modest improvements in pharmacological treatment during cardiac rehabilitation and long-term outpatient care for patients with CCS. However, modifiable risk factors such as obesity have increased in the more recent cohort and should be targeted to further improve the prognosis of these patients.

Potential sex differences in human milk fatty acids and their association with atopic dermatitis: Results of the Ulm SPATZ health study.

BACKGROUND: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in human milk are essential in immune system maturation and might play a role in the development of allergic conditions, such as atopic dermatitis (AD) in infants. Immune system responses are modulated by sex, but data on the sex-specific associations with PUFAs are limited. We therefore explored sex-specific differences in human milk PUFAs and their association with AD up to 2 years. METHODS: PUFAs were measured in human milk samples from the Ulm SPATZ Health Study at 6 weeks (n = 512) and 6 months (n = 367). Associations with AD up to 2 years were evaluated using crude and multivariable logistic regression. Interactions between infant sex and PUFAs were explored by including the product term. RESULTS: No significant associations were observed with 6-week data. At 6 months, the median relative proportion of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was significantly higher in milk for female than male infants (p = .001). Female infants whose milk was lower in quintile proportions of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) at 6 months had lower odds of AD compared to males [first vs. fifth quintile OR (95% confidence interval): 0.13 (0.02, 0.66), p = .02]. This interaction was not significant when correcting for multiple testing (α threshold: p = .004). No other statistically significant associations were observed. CONCLUSION: Individual quintile PUFA proportions in human milk were not associated with AD, overall and in a sex-specific manner. More comprehensive and statistically powered longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether potential sex differences in human milk, if any, could be of clinical relevance for infants including the investigation of mediating factors.

Pre- and early postpartum psychosocial stress trajectories in mothers and child body mass index at 3 years: a birth cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Child overweight remains a prevalent public health concern, but the impact of maternal psychosocial stress and related constructs, the timing, and possible trajectories on child body mass index (BMI) is controversial. We aimed to investigate the association of maternal stress, depression and anxiety symptoms, and maternal hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) at delivery, 6, and 12 months postpartum with child BMI and age- and sex-standardized BMI (BMI-SDS) at age 3 years. METHODS: Data were derived from the Ulm SPATZ Health Study with a baseline examination between 04/2012 and 05/2013 at the University Medical Centre Ulm, Germany, the only maternity clinic in Ulm, with a good representation of the source population. Adjusted regression analyses based on BMI/BMI-SDS (dependent) and trajectories of stress, depression, and anxiety (independent variables) were investigated in 596 mothers and children. Multiple imputation of missing covariates was performed. RESULTS: Various trajectories in independent variables were identified, trajectories of maternal anxiety symptom differed between child sexes. We did not find an association between trajectories of maternal chronic stress, depression symptoms, or HCC and child BMI/BMI-SDS. However, trajectories of low-increasing maternal anxiety symptoms were linked to higher child BMI compared to a low-stable trajectory group (b = 0.58 kg/m2, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.11; 1.04) in girls. CONCLUSIONS: Trajectories of maternal anxiety symptoms were associated with the child's BMI/BMI-SDS in girls at age 3 years. However, further large scale studies should include variables to determine the causal pathway and enlighten sex-specific differences.

Trajectories of child mental health, physical activity and screen-time during the COVID-19 pandemic considering different family situations: results from a longitudinal birth cohort.

BACKGROUND: Many authors have described a significant mental health burden on children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly moderated by social disparities. This analysis explores whether pre-pandemic family circumstances might be related to different aspects of child health during the pandemic. METHODS: We analyzed trajectories of health-related outcomes in children aged 5 to 9 years (T7 to T11) using the Ulm SPATZ Health study, a population based birth cohort study (baseline 04/2012-05/2013) conducted in the South of Germany. Outcomes were children's mental health, quality of life, and lifestyle, such as screen time and physical activity. We conducted descriptive statistics of maternal and child characteristics before and throughout the pandemic. We defined three different groups of pre-pandemic family situations and used adjusted mixed models to estimate differences in means associated with the time during the pandemic vs. before the pandemic in (a) all children and in (b) children belonging to specific pre-pandemic family situations. RESULTS: We analyzed data from n = 588 children from whom at least one questionnaire was completed between T7 and T11. When not considering the pre-pandemic family situation, adjusted mixed models showed statistically significant lower mean scores of health-related quality of life among girls during vs. before the COVID-19 pandemic (difference in means (b): - 3.9 (95% confidence interval (CI): - 6.4, - 1.4). There were no substantial differences in mental health, screen time, or physical activity in boys or girls. When considering pre-pandemic family situations, boys with mothers having symptoms of depression or anxiety showed a substantial loss of health-related quality of life on the subscale of friends (b: - 10.5 (95% CI: - 19.7, - 1.4)). Among girls in this group, 60% of the 15 assessed outcomes were negatively associated with a remarkable loss in health-related quality of life (e.g., KINDL-physical well-being difference in means: - 12.2 (95% CI: - 18.9, - 5.4)). Furthermore, a substantial increase in screen time was found (+ 2.9 h (95% CI: 0.3, 5.6)). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the health (and behavior) of primary school-aged children is possibly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with adverse consequences differing by gender and very likely by the pre-pandemic family situation. Especially in girls having a mother with depression or anxiety symptoms, the adverse consequences of the pandemic on mental health seem to be aggregated. Boys showed fewer adverse trajectories, and it needs to be further assessed which factors exactly are behind the (socio-economic) factors, such as maternal working habits and limited living space, when analyzing the effect of the pandemic on children's health.

Association of blood lipids with onset and prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: results from the ALS Swabia registry.

BACKGROUND: To date, the role of blood lipid levels and their association with the onset and prognosis of ALS is controversial. We explored these associations in a large, population-based case-control study. METHODS: Between October 2010 and June 2014, 336 ALS patients (mean age 65.7 ± 10.7; 57.7% male) and 487 sex- and age-matched controls from the same geographic region were recruited within the ALS registry in Southwest Germany. Triglycerides and cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total) were measured. The ALS cohort was followed up for vital status. Conditional logistic regression models were applied to calculate odds ratio (OR) for risk of ALS associated with serum lipid concentrations. In ALS patients only, survival models were used to appraise the prognostic value. RESULTS: High concentration of total cholesterol (OR 1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-2.49, top vs. bottom quartile), but not HDL, LDL, LDL-HDL ratio, or triglycerides, was positively associated with the risk of ALS. During the median follow-up time of 88.9 months, 291 deaths occurred among 336 ALS patients. In the adjusted survival analysis, higher HDL (HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.19-2.50) and LDL cholesterol levels (HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.11-2.26) were associated with higher mortality in ALS patients. In contrast, higher triglyceride levels were associated with lower mortality (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.48-0.96). CONCLUSION: The results highlight the importance to distinguish cholesterol from triglycerides when considering the prognostic role of lipid metabolism in ALS. It further strengthens the rationale for a triglyceride-rich diet, while the negative impact of cholesterol must be further explored.

Long-Term Mortality of Patients With Osteoarthritis After Joint Replacement: Prognostic Value of Preoperative and Postoperative Pain and Function.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether osteoarthritis (OA)-specific assessment values (i.e., Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC]) and generic pain and function (visual analog scale, Hanover Functionality Status Questionnaire) measured before and 12 months after arthroplasty are associated with the risk of long-term mortality in a cohort of patients with advanced OA of the hip or knee. METHODS: The Ulm Osteoarthritis Study was a prospective cohort study of OA patients with unilateral total hip or knee replacement between January 1995 and December 1996. Correlation coefficients were calculated to describe the agreement between the different assessments. Mortality was assessed during the follow-up period (last update July 2019). Cox proportional regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality after adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: Arthroplasty was accompanied by a clear reduction in pain and improved function throughout all assessments in the 706 included patients. The results of the adjusted Cox models showed no relationship between baseline and follow-up joint-specific WOMAC assessments and long-term mortality. However, an independent increased risk of mortality was found with generic function assessments. In the final adjusted model, the HR for the 12-month follow-up value was 1.79 (95% confidence interval 1.24-2.60) in the group with clinically relevant impairment versus the reference group. CONCLUSION: Poor function based on the generic assessment was associated with increased long-term mortality, suggesting that functional impairments in daily life activities may be more important for long-term survival than OA-specific impairments in this patient group.

Health-Economic Evaluation of the German Osteoporotic Fracture Prevention Program in Rural Areas (OFRA): Mobility and Falls Prevention Classes, Examination of Bone Health, and Consultation on Safety in the Living Environment.

BACKGROUND: Fragility fractures are one of the leading causes of disability in older adults. Yet, evidence for effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of preventive approaches combining bone health and fall prevention is rare. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a health-economic evaluation of the German osteoporotic fracture prevention program in rural areas (OFRA). DESIGN: Secondary cluster-randomized intervention study based on routine data. PARTICIPANTS: All districts in five federal states in Germany were cluster-randomized as intervention or control districts. OFRA was offered to community-living (a) women aged 75-79 years or (b) women and men aged 70-84 years with a prior fragility fracture in the intervention districts. Individuals who meet these criteria in the control districts were assigned to the control group. INTERVENTION: OFRA comprised mobility and falls prevention classes, examination of bone health by bone density measurement, and consultation on safety in the home living environment. MAIN MEASURES: We measured health-care costs and effectiveness in terms of time to fragility fracture or death within 1 year after initial contact, based on health insurance claims data. Implementation costs were recorded by the intervention performers. We calculated an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and employed the net-benefit approach to construct a cost-effectiveness acceptability curve (CEAC). KEY RESULTS: There were 9408 individuals in the intervention group and 27,318 in the control group. Mean time to fragility fracture or death (difference: 0.82 days) and health-care costs (difference: 111.73€, p < .01) were reduced, but mean intervention costs (difference: 260.10€) increased total costs (difference: 148.37€, p < .001) in the intervention group. The ICER per fracture-free year of survival was 66,094.63€. The CEAC showed no acceptable probability of cost-effectiveness at a reasonable willingness to pay. CONCLUSION: OFRA showed reduced rates of fragility fractures, but had high implementation costs, resulting in an unfavorable ICER. The cost-effectiveness of OFRA may improve with a longer follow-up.

Association of BMI with general health, working capacity recovered, and post-acute sequelae of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the risk of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 associated with the continuous spectrum of BMI. METHODS: Epidemiology of Long COVID (EPILOC) is a population-based study conducted in Baden-Württemberg (Germany), including subjects aged 18 to 65 years who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between October 2020 and April 2021. Eligible subjects answered a standardized questionnaire, including sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and the presence of specific symptoms. Participants assessed their current general health recovery and working capacity compared with the pre-infection situation and provided their body height and weight. Generalized additive models were used to assess the association of BMI with general health recovered, working capacity recovered, and prevalence of fatigue, cognitive impairment, and chest symptoms. RESULTS: The analyses included 11,296 individuals (41% male), with a mean age of 44.0 (SD 13.7) years. Best general health recovery was observed at BMI of 22.1 (95% CI: 21.0-27.0) kg/m2 in men and BMI of 21.6 (95% CI: 20.3-23.1) kg/m2 in women. In addition, we found that increasing BMI was consistently associated with post-COVID fatigue, neurocognitive impairment, and chest symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: High BMI contributes to impaired recovery after SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, a low BMI is associated with impaired recovery as well.

Is education level, as a proxy for socio-economic position, related to device-measured and self-reported sedentary behavior in European older adults? A cross-sectional study from the SITLESS project.

Background: Sedentary behavior (SB) is a determinant of health in older adult people. Educational level is a primary driver of health disparities and is demonstrated to be a reliable measure of socioeconomic position. We aimed to examine the associations between educational level and self-reported along with device-measured SB in older adults living in Europe and the association of mentally active and passive SB domains with the educational level and gender in these associations. Methods: The design is cross-sectional. One thousand three hundred and sixty participants aged 65 and over (75.3±6.3 years old, 61.8% women) participated. Inclusion criteria were scored with the Short Physical Performance Battery. Variables that describe the sample were assessed with an interview, and device-measured SB was assessed with an accelerometer. SB was assessed with the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire and an accelerometer. Multiple linear regression models were used to study the association between the level of education and SB. Results: Participants self-reported an average of 7.82 (SD: 3.02) daily waking hours of SB during weekend days, and the average of device-measured SB was 11.39 (1.23) h. Total mentally active SB (weekdays and weekends) was associated with the education level (p < 0.000). Participants were more sedentary during the week than during weekends, regardless of level of education (p < 0.000). Education level was significantly associated with self-reported mean hours per day in 46SB (p = 0.000; R=0.026; 95%CI). Conclusion: Low education level in older adults is associated with self-reported SB but not with objective SB measures.