Promoting health equity through social capital in deprived communities: a natural policy experiment in Trieste, Italy.

The Trieste Habitat Micro-area Programme (HMP), an innovative social-health service policy, has offered a natural experiment to empirically evaluate the social mechanisms through which social capital may have an impact on health inequalities. To date, literature clarifying this causal chain is scanty. This empirical study tested the following hypotheses: H1) innovative social-health practices can activate social mechanisms intentionally and systematically so as to generate social capital; H2) such social mechanisms increase specific properties of social capital, in particular those influencing more vulnerable individuals' relationships; H3) investing in these properties can enhance capabilities and, consequently, control over the health of more vulnerable individuals. The study was carried out during 2016-2018 and used both qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative part investigated the field experience of the HMP through interviews, focus groups and workshops with HMP professionals. The quantitative part assessed the effect HMP might have on these properties and the capacity to face health risks of more vulnerable individuals. Three samples, each of 200 individuals, residing in the target and in control areas were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. One control sample was matched to the 200 treated subjects using a Propensity Score Matching. The results of the study suggest that the HMP intervention stimulated the development of empowerment, collaboration and interdependence among vulnerable people. This produced an increase in their social capital under several aspects, including enhanced trust, network extension and participation, cooperation and reciprocal help with neighbours, as well as improving their judgement on quality, timing and efficacy of the help received from institutions, relatives or friends. These findings show that socially shared relationships can create innovative local models of a universalistic generative welfare system, which would be both inclusive and able to enhance individual capabilities. These models could be disseminated and carried over to other contexts.

[Epidemiology in support of intervention priorities: the case of diabetes in Turin (Piedmont Region, Northern Italy)]. / L'epidemiologia a supporto delle priorità di intervento: il caso del diabete a Torino.

OBJECTIVES: to describe the epidemiology of diabetes within the city of Turin (Piedmont Region, Northern Italy) and to present the process initiated by the city network of diabetes care for the improvement of prevention and treatment of the disease. DESIGN: ecological study based on administrative database. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: residents in Turin from 2016 to 2018. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: incidence and prevalence of diabetes, percentage of glycosylated haemoglobin testing, and case-fatality. RESULTS: in the considered three-year period (2016-2018), the cumulative incidence of diabetes was 11.5 x1,000; as of 31.12.2018 the prevalence was 5.9%. 77% had performed at least one measurement of glycated haemoglobin during the previous year, and the case-fatality was 12.6% in the three-year period. The standardized prevalence per statistical zone varied from a minimum of 2% (95%CI 1.2-3.3) to a maximum of 10.2% (95%CI 9.1-11.4). The highest values were recorded in the most deprived city areas. The geographical distribution of incidence, varying between 5.1 x1,000 (95%CI 2.7-10.0) e 19.4 x1,000 (95%CI 15.8-24.0), reproduces the geography of prevalence, as well as the percentage of measurement of glycated haemoglobin, while the variability of the fatality rate is more modest without an obvious geographic pattern. CONCLUSIONS: diabetes occurs most frequently in the most deprived areas of the city, but the response of the health care system is adequate and equitable. Sharing of these results with the city health authorities and the diabetologists has led to identify as a priority interventions for the reduction of unhealthy behaviours, and for the improvements of patient care pathway, starting form the most disadvantaged areas of the city. A process of listening and involvement of all actors potentially interested in the prevention and treatment of diabetes has been started.

Association between low lean mass and low bone mineral density in 653 women with hip fracture: does the definition of low lean mass matter?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Loss of both muscle and bone mass results in fragility fractures with increased risk of disability, poor quality of life, and death. Our aim was to assess the association between low appendicular lean mass (aLM) defined according to different criteria and low bone mineral density (BMD) in hip-fracture women. METHODS: Six hundred fifty-three women admitted to our rehabilitation hospital underwent dual energy X-ray absorptiometry 19.1 ± 4.1 (mean ± SD) days after hip-fracture occurrence. Low aLM was identified according to either Baumgartner's definition (aLM/height2 less than two standard deviations below the mean of the young reference group) or FNIH criteria: aLM <15.02 kg, or aLM adjusted for body mass index (BMI) <0.512. Low BMD was diagnosed with a T-score <-2.5 at the unfractured femoral neck. RESULTS: Using Baumgartner's definition, the association between low aLM/height2 and low BMD was significant: χ 2(1, n = 653) = 8.52 (p = 0.004), but it was erased by adjustments for age and fat mass. Using the FNIH definition the association between low aLM and low BMD was significant: χ 2(1, n = 653) = 42.5 (p < 0.001), and it was confirmed after adjustment for age and fat mass (p < 0.001). With the FNIH definition based on aLM/BMI ratio the association between low aLM/BMI ratio and low BMD was nonsignificant: χ 2(1, n = 653) = 0.003 (p = 0.957). CONCLUSIONS: The association between low aLM and low BMD in women with hip fracture dramatically depends on the adopted definition of low aLM. FNIH threshold for aLM (<15.02 kg) emerges as a useful tool to capture women with damage of the muscle-bone unit.

Time trend 2000-2013 of vitamin D status in older people who sustain hip fractures: steps forward or steps back? A retrospective study of 1599 patients.

BACKGROUND: Substantial proportions of hip-fracture patients have very low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, which can negatively affect rehabilitation. However, it is not known whether changes in vitamin D deficiency have occurred over the last years in the patients who sustain hip fractures. AIM: To assess time trend 2000-2013 of calcifediol serum levels in the hip-fracture patients admitted to our rehabilitation division. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: A rehabilitation hospital division. POPULATION: A number of 1599 inpatients with a hip fracture admitted between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2013 to our rehabilitation division. METHODS: A blood sample was collected in the morning following an overnight fasting 14.4±4.4 (mean±SD) days after surgery. We assessed 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels by an immunoenzymatic assay. RESULTS: Calcifediol levels increased till 2006-2007 and decreased afterward. In 2006-2007, the median 25-hydroxyvitamin D level (13.1 ng/mL, interquartile range 7.9-25ng/mL) was significantly higher (P<0.001) than the one found in both the periods 2000-2001 (5.4 ng/mL, interquartile range 3.5-9 ng/mL), and 2012-2013 (7ng/mL, interquartile range 5-14 ng/mL). In the last two-year period of observation (2012-2013), 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were slightly higher (P<0.001) than in the first one (2000-2001). The association between periods of observation and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels persisted after adjustment for age, BMI, and sex (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A significant increase in calcifediol concentrations was seen till 2006-2007, but a significant decrease was observed afterward. Finally, calcifediol levels were only slightly higher in the last two years of observation than in the first two years and severe vitamin D deficiency was common during the whole 14-year study period. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Heightened awareness is needed to prevent and treat vitamin D deficiency in hip-fracture patients.

Prevalence and burden of vertebral fractures in older men and women with hip fracture: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: To investigate the prevalence and burden (combination of number and severity) of vertebral fractures in men and women with hip fracture. METHODS: We investigated 458 of 490 hip-fracture patients admitted consecutively to a rehabilitation hospital. Lateral radiographs of the spine were taken 19.2 ± 5.5 days (mean ± SD) after hip-fracture occurrence. To obtain a summary measure of vertebral fracture burden, we calculated the spinal deformity index (SDI) by summing the fracture grades assessed using Genant's method of all vertebrae (T4 to L4). RESULTS: The median SDI score was 2 in both the 411 women and the 47 men (interquartile range 0-4 in both groups), and no significant between-sex differences were found (P = 0.52). A total of 69% of the women (95% CI 65-74%), and 60% of the men (95% CI 45-74%) had at least one mild vertebral fracture (SDI score ≥1), 41% of the women (95% CI 36-46%) and 38% of the men (95% CI 24-53%) had a SDI score ≥3, whereas 16% of the women (95% CI 12% 19%) and 17% of the men (95%CI 6-28%) had at least one severe vertebral fracture. Sex was not significantly associated with a SDI score ≥1, or ≥3 or with the presence of at least one severe vertebral fracture after adjustment for age, hip-fracture type, cognitive impairment, pressure ulcers, neurological impairment, comorbidities, number of medications in use and Barthel index scores. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of vertebral fractures was high after hip fracture in both men and women. We found no significant between-sex differences in the prevalence and burden of vertebral fractures.

Presarcopenia and sarcopenia in hip-fracture women: prevalence and association with ability to function in activities of daily living.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Sarcopenia staging systems have been proposed, but little is known on their application in hip-fracture patients. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of presarcopenia and sarcopenia and their association with ability to function in activities of daily living in hip-fracture women. METHODS: We investigated white women (N = 138 of 149) who were consecutively admitted to a rehabilitation hospital because of their first hip fracture. In each woman, we measured appendicular lean mass (aLM) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, at a median of 18 days after hip fracture occurrence. On the same day, we assessed grip strength with a handheld dynamometer. Functional autonomy was assessed by the Barthel Index. We used the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) definition to calculate the prevalence of presarcopenia and sarcopenia, taking into account both aLM/height(2) and handgrip strength. Gait speed was not considered, because of the recent hip fracture. RESULTS: Twenty-three (17 %) of the 138 women fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for presarcopenia whereas 80 (58 %) were sarcopenic. The women with presarcopenia were younger, healthier and with higher Barthel Index scores (median 65 vs. 55; interquartile range 60-75 and 50-60, respectively; p < 0.001) than those with sarcopenia. Significant differences in Barthel Index scores at the time of assessment (but not at the end of the rehabilitation course) persisted after multiple adjustments (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of presarcopenia and sarcopenia was high in hip-fracture women. Presarcopenic women had higher ability to function in activities of daily living than sarcopenic women.

Concomitant upper limb fractures and short-term functional recovery in hip fracture patients: does the site of upper limb injury matter?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate functional recovery in a subgroup of hip fracture patients who sustained a simultaneous fracture at the upper limb, taking into account the site of upper limb injury. DESIGN: Of 760 patients admitted consecutively to the authors' rehabilitation hospital because of a fall-related hip fracture, 700 were retrospectively investigated. Functional outcome was assessed using Barthel Index scores. RESULTS: In 49 of the 700 patients, a single fall resulted in both a hip fracture and a fracture of either wrist (n = 34) or proximal humerus (n = 15). The patients with concomitant shoulder fractures had lower median Barthel Index scores after rehabilitation (70 vs. 90, P = 0.003), lower median Barthel Index effectiveness (57.1 vs. 76.9, P = 0.018), and prolonged median length of stay (42 vs. 36 days, P = 0.011) than did the patients with isolated hip fractures. Significant differences persisted after adjustment for six potential confounders. The adjusted odds ratio for achieving a Barthel Index score lower than 85 was 6.71 (95% confidence interval, 1.68-26.81; P = 0.007) for the patients with concomitant shoulder fractures. Conversely, no prognostic disadvantages were associated with concomitant wrist fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Data show a worse functional recovery and a prolonged length of stay in the subgroup of hip fracture patients who sustained a concomitant fracture at the proximal humerus, but not at the wrist.

Handgrip strength but not appendicular lean mass is an independent predictor of functional outcome in hip-fracture women: a short-term prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the contribution of muscle mass and handgrip strength in predicting the functional outcome after hip fracture in women. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: White women (N=123 of 149) who were consecutively admitted to a rehabilitation hospital because of their first fracture of the hip. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We measured appendicular lean mass (aLM) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) 21.1 ± 8.7 (mean ± SD) days after hip fracture occurrence in the 123 women. On the same day, we assessed grip strength at the nondominant arm with a dynamometer. At the end of acute inpatient rehabilitation we measured the ability to function in activities of daily living by using the Barthel Index, and lower limb performance by using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. RESULTS: We found significant correlations between handgrip strength measured before rehabilitation and Barthel Index scores after rehabilitation (ρ=.50; P<.001), Barthel Index effectiveness (ρ=.45; P<.001), and the TUG test (ρ=-.41; P<.001). Conversely, we found no significant correlations between aLM/height(2) and Barthel Index scores after rehabilitation (ρ=.075; P=.41), Barthel Index effectiveness (ρ=.06; P=.53), or the TUG test (ρ=.005; P=.96). Significant associations between grip strength and all the outcome measures persisted after adjustment for 8 potential confounders, including Barthel Index scores before rehabilitation, age, number of medications, number of comorbidities, pressure ulcers, concomitant infections, time between fracture occurrence and assessment, and aLM/height(2). CONCLUSIONS: Grip strength, but not DXA-assessed aLM, significantly predicted short-term functional outcome in women after a hip fracture.

Parathyroid-hormone variance is only marginally explained by a panel of determinants: a cross-sectional study of 909 hip-fracture patients.

Several factors affect the levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in hip-fracture patients. We hypothesized that a panel of easily assessable determinants could account for both a substantial proportion of PTH variance and the occurrence of secondary hyperparathyroidism. We evaluated 909 of 981 hip-fracture inpatients admitted consecutively to our Rehabilitation division. In each patient we assessed PTH, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, albumin-adjusted total calcium, phosphate, magnesium, and creatinine on a fasting blood sample 21.3 ± 6.1 (mean ± SD) days after fracture occurrence. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated by the 4-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation. Functional level was assessed using the Barthel index. On multivariate analysis, six factors (phosphate, albumin-adjusted total calcium, estimated GFR (eGFR), 25-hydroxyvitamin D, age, and magnesium) were significantly associated with PTH levels. Overall, the panel of variables accounted for 23.7 % of PTH variance. Among the 909 patients, 304 (33.4 %) had PTH levels exceeding the normal range. Six factors (phosphate, albumin-adjusted total calcium, eGFR, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, age, and Barthel index scores) were significantly associated with the category of PTH level (either normal or elevated). The model correctly classified 70.4 % of cases. For the optimal cut-off point, sensitivity was 80 % and specificity was 61 %. Data shows that six factors were significantly associated with PTH levels in hip-fracture inpatients. However, the six factors accounted for only 23.7 % of PTH variance and the presence or absence of secondary hyperparathyroidism was correctly categorized in a modest proportion of cases. We conclude that more knowledge is needed on the factors affecting PTH levels after hip fracture.

Parathyroid hormone is significantly associated with body fat compartment in men but not in women following a hip fracture.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) exerts several actions beyond mineral metabolism and may affect body composition. The aim of our study was to assess the association between serum PTH and body fat compartment in hip fracture patients. METHODS: We studied 575 of 630 inpatients with hip fracture consecutively admitted to our Rehabilitation ward. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure body composition. DXA scan was performed 18.5 ± 8.6 (mean ± SD) days after hip fracture occurrence. A blood sample was collected within 4 days after DXA scan. In each subject, we evaluated PTH, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium, phosphate, albumin, magnesium, and creatinine. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated by a conventional formula. RESULTS: In the 57 men, we found a significant correlation between PTH and both body mass index (BMI) (ρ = 0.37; p = 0.020) and trunk fat percentage (ρ = 0.62; p < 0.001). After multiple adjustments, we confirmed a significant association between PTH and BMI (r = 0.38; p = 0.004) or trunk fat percentage (r = 0.51; p < 0.001). In the 518 women, we found a slightly significant correlation between PTH and BMI (ρ = 0.09; p = 0.047), but after adjustments the correlation coefficient dropped to 0.02 (p = 0.69). We found no significant relationships between PTH and trunk fat percentage at bivariate correlation (ρ = 0.04; p = 0.35) or after adjustments (r = 0.04; p = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS: PTH serum levels were robustly associated with body fat compartment in men, but not in women following a fracture of the hip. A role of PTH in affecting body composition in hip fracture men is suggested. Its potential role in male prognostic disadvantage needs further investigation.

Sarcopenia is more prevalent in men than in women after hip fracture: a cross-sectional study of 591 inpatients.

Our aim was to compare the prevalence of sarcopenia in men and women with hip fracture. We studied 591 of 630 hip fracture inpatients consecutively admitted to our Rehabilitation ward. All the patients underwent a Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan 18.4 ± 8.7 (mean ± SD) days after hip fracture occurrence. Sarcopenia was defined when appendicular lean mass divided by height squared was less than two standard deviations below the mean of the young reference group obtained from population based studies. Using normative data from the New Mexico Elder Health Study, 340 of the 531 women (64.0%), and 57 of the 60 men (95.0%) had sarcopenia. Using normative data from the survey performed in Rochester, Minnesota, 116 of the 531 women (21.8%), and 52 of the 60 men (86.7%) had sarcopenia. After adjustment for age, time between fracture occurrence and DXA scan, number of medications in use, and number of concomitant diseases, men had a significantly higher prevalence of sarcopenia than women (p < 0.001). The adjusted odds ratio was either 10.54 (95% CI from 3.25 to 34.16) or 23.64 (from 10.8 to 51.6) depending on the reference population adopted. Our data shows a high proportion of sarcopenic subjects after hip-fracture. Sarcopenia was significantly more prevalent in men than in women. Relevancy of prevention and treatment of muscle loss is emphasized, particularly in men.

Men recover ability to function less than women do: an observational study of 1094 subjects after hip fracture.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between sex and functional outcome after acute inpatient rehabilitation in hip-fracture patients. DESIGN: We investigated 1094 of 1186 people admitted consecutively to our rehabilitation hospital because of a hip fracture. Functional outcome was assessed using Barthel Index scores. Barthel Index efficiency (improvement per day of stay length) and Barthel Index effectiveness (proportion of potential improvement achieved) were calculated. RESULTS: The median Barthel Index score at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation was 85 in the 970 women and 75 in the 124 men (interquartile range, 65-95 in women and 60-95 in men, P = 0.001). Both Barthel Index efficiency and effectiveness were significantly lower in men (P = 0.030 and P = 0.007, respectively). After adjustment for six confounders, we confirmed that men had lower Barthel Index scores (P = 0.030), Barthel Index efficiency (P = 0.024), and Barthel Index effectiveness (P = 0.040). The risk of achieving a low Barthel Index score (i.e., <85) at the end of acute inpatient rehabilitation was higher for men than for women (adjusted odds ratio, 2.055; 95% CI, 1.212-3.483; P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: In our large sample of hip-fracture patients, men had a significantly worse functional outcome than did women after acute inpatient rehabilitation.

Appendicular lean mass does not mediate the significant association between vitamin D status and functional outcome in hip-fracture women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether muscle mass mediates the significant association between vitamin D status and functional recovery after hip fracture in women. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Rehabilitation hospital in Italy. PARTICIPANTS: We investigated white women (N=280) of 305 who were consecutively admitted to a rehabilitation hospital because of their first fracture of the hip. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To assess muscle mass, we measured appendicular lean mass (aLM) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), 21.2±6.2 (mean ± SD) days after hip fracture occurrence in the 280 women. On the same day, we assessed serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Ability to function in activities of daily living was evaluated by the Barthel Index both before and after acute inpatient rehabilitation. RESULTS: After adjustment for 8 confounders, including age, cognitive impairment, pressure ulcers, neurologic impairment, infections, fracture type, Barthel Index score at admission to rehabilitation, and aLM/height(2) (aLM/ht(2)), 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly associated both with Barthel Index scores after rehabilitation (P=.003) and their changes during rehabilitation (P=.008). Similar results were obtained when the 25-hydroxyvitamin D/PTH ratio was substituted for 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Conversely, aLM/ht(2) was not significantly correlated with Barthel Index scores and their changes during rehabilitation. Furthermore, we found no significant associations between either 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels or the 25-hydroxyvitamin D/PTH ratio and aLM/ht(2). CONCLUSIONS: The significant association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (and 25-hydroxyvitamin D/PTH ratio) and the ability to function in women with hip fractures was not mediated by aLM assessed by DXA.

Low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are associated with the occurrence of concomitant upper limb fractures in older women who sustain a fall-related fracture of the hip.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and the occurrence of simultaneous fractures of the upper limb in older women who sustain a fall-related fracture of the hip. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We investigated 472 of 480 white women consecutively admitted to a rehabilitation hospital because of a fall-related hip fracture. Twenty-seven (5.7%) of the 472 women sustained a concomitant upper-limb fracture of either distal radius (20 women) or proximal humerus (seven women). We assessed serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 14.2 ± 4.1 (mean ± SD) days after surgical repair of the hip fracture in the 472 women by an immunoenzymatic assay. RESULTS: Twenty-five-hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly lower in the 27 women with concomitant fractures of both hip and upper limb than in the remaining 445 hip-fracture women: mean ± SD values were 6.5 ± 5.0 ng/ml and 11.7 ± 10.4 ng/ml respectively in the two groups (mean difference between groups 5.2 ng/ml: 95% CI 1.2-9.2; p=0.011). Low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were significantly associated with concomitant fractures of the upper limb (p=0.017), after adjustment for eight potential confounders including age, height, weight, hip-fracture type, cognitive impairment, neurologic impairment, previous hip fracture, and previous upper-limb fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were significantly associated with concomitant upper-limb fractures in our sample of older women with a fall-related fracture of the hip. Preventing vitamin D deficiency may lower the incidence of simultaneous fractures due to a singe fall in elderly women.

Prevalence of sarcopenia and its association with osteoporosis in 313 older women following a hip fracture.

Changes in body composition, including a decrease in muscle and bone mass, accompany aging. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of sarcopenia and its association with osteoporosis in hip-fracture women. We performed a Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan in 313 of 340 women, 20.9 ± 6.5 (mean ± S.D.) days after hip-fracture occurrence. To adjust appendicular lean mass for body size we divided it by height squared in each woman. A total of 180 of the 313 women (58%) were sarcopenic, whereas 230 (74%) were osteoporotic. After adjustment for age and interval between fracture and DXA scan we found a significant association between sarcopenia and osteoporosis (p=0.026). For a sarcopenic woman the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for osteoporosis was 1.80 (95%CI=1.07-3.02). Our data shows the high prevalence of sarcopenia and its significant association with osteoporosis in a large sample of hip-fracture women. Data supports a research approach on preventive and treatment strategies for osteoporosis and sarcopenia targeting both bone and muscle tissue. Furthermore, data should be considered when the economic burden of sarcopenia is estimated, given the high proportion of sarcopenic women with bone fragility.

The burden of prevalent vertebral fractures is negatively associated with functional outcome in women with hip fracture.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the burden of prevalent vertebral fractures and functional outcome in women with hip fracture. DESIGN: We investigated 164 of 180 women with hip fracture admitted consecutively to a rehabilitation hospital. Lateral radiographs of the spine were taken 20.0 ± 5.1 days (mean ± SD) after fracture occurrence. To obtain a summary measure of vertebral fracture burden, we calculated the spinal deformity index by summing the fracture grades of all vertebrae (T4 to L4), assessed using Genant's method. Functional outcome was assessed using Barthel index scores. RESULTS: In a Spearman rank test, we observed a significant negative correlation between spinal deformity index scores and Barthel index scores at discharge from rehabilitation (ρ = -0.23; P = 0.003). The association between spinal deformity index and Barthel index scores was confirmed (P = 0.039) after adjustment for eight potential confounders. Multiple regression also showed a significant negative association between spinal deformity index scores and increase in Barthel index scores during rehabilitation (P = 0.012). The panel of prognostic factors that we included in the multivariate analysis accounted for 62% of the variance in the Barthel index scores at discharge from rehabilitation and 43% of their increase during rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of prevalent vertebral fractures is negatively associated with functional outcome in women with hip fracture.

The relationship between initial trunk control or postural balance and inpatient rehabilitation outcome after stroke: a prospective comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the predictive validity of trunk control in sitting position assessed by Trunk Impairment Scale and balance in lying, sitting and standing posture assessed by Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke patients on functional outcome in stroke survivors. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: A single rehabilitation hospital in Italy. SUBJECTS: Sixty of 68 consecutive subjects admitted to a rehabilitation hospital after stroke. MAIN MEASURES: We performed Trunk Impairment Scale and Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke patients at admission to inpatient rehabilitation. Outcome measures at discharge were Functional Independence Measure score and destination (classified as either home or institution). RESULTS: After adjustment for 14 potential confounders, including Functional Independence Measure score at admission to rehabilitation, both Trunk Impairment Scale and Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke patients scores were significantly associated with the Functional Independence Measure score at discharge (P = 0.010 and P =0.04, respectively), change in the Functional Independence Measure score during rehabilitation (P = 0.003 and P<0.001, respectively), Functional Independence Measure effectiveness (P = 0.024 and P =0.017, respectively) and destination at discharge (P = 0.040 and P =0.032, respectively). The panel of prognostic variables predicted 64-65% of the variance in the final Functional Independence Measure score, 30-35% of the variance in the change of the Functional Independence Measure score during rehabilitation, and 45-46% of the variance in the Functional Independence Measure effectiveness depending on the inclusion of either Trunk Impairment Scale or Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke patients score among the predictors.

Serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-I are positively associated with functional outcome after hip fracture in elderly women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and functional outcome in hip-fracture women. DESIGN: We investigated 171 of 188 women admitted consecutively to a rehabilitation hospital after hip fracture. IGF-I serum levels were assessed by using an automated chemiluminescence immunoassay 21.3 +/- 6.1 days (mean +/- SD) after fracture occurrence. Functional outcome was assessed using Barthel index scores. RESULTS: At a Spearman rank test we observed a significant positive correlation between IGF-I levels and both Barthel index scores at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation (rho = 0.213; P = 0.005) and changes in Barthel index scores during rehabilitation (rho = 0.222; P = 0.004). At multiple regression, a significant association between IGF-I and both functional scores and their changes during rehabilitation was found after adjustment for several potential confounders, including age, cognitive impairment, pressure ulcers, neurologic impairment, infections, Barthel index score at admission to rehabilitation, and length of stay in hospital (P < 0.05). Overall, the panel of prognostic factors accounted for 55% of the variance in the functional score and 31% of the variance in its change during rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: IGF-I serum levels were significantly associated with ability to function after hip fracture in women.

Type of hip fracture in patients with Parkinson disease is associated with femoral bone mineral density.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and hip fracture type (cervical or trochanteric) in a sample of fallers with Parkinson disease (PD). DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Rehabilitation hospital in Italy. PATIENTS: We investigated 1040 of 1120 white fallers consecutively admitted to a rehabilitation hospital for hip fracture. Thirty-eight (3.65%) of the 1040 patients suffered from PD secondarily. Thirty-eight controls matched for sex, age, and hip fracture type were found among the 1002 non-PD fallers. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: BMD was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at a mean+/-SD of 21.9+/-7.5 days after fracture occurrence in the 38 PD patients and 21.6+/-5.9 days after fracture occurrence in the 38 controls. RESULTS: BMD assessed at total femur, trochanter, and intertrochanteric region was significantly lower in the 15 PD patients with trochanteric fractures than in the 23 with cervical fractures; the mean T score differences were 0.57 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07-1.08; P=.028), 0.66 (95% CI, 0.04-1.28; P=.037), and 0.63 (95% CI, 0.11-1.15; P=.019), respectively. A significant association between femoral BMD and hip fracture type was found at logistic regression after adjustment for several confounders. Results in the 38 controls were similar to those obtained in the 38 PD fallers. CONCLUSIONS: In a sample of PD fallers as in a control group of non-PD fallers, BMD levels assessed at 3 femoral sites were significantly lower in the patients who sustained trochanteric fractures than in those with cervical fractures of the hip.

Muscle mass and functional recovery in men with hip fracture.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between muscle mass and functional recovery in men after hip fracture. DESIGN: We investigated 27 of 33 men admitted consecutively to a rehabilitation hospital after hip fracture. For each patient, we also studied two control women, matched for age and fracture type. Lean mass (LM) was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) 21.9 +/- 7.5 (mean +/- SD) days after fracture occurrence in the 27 men (22.8 +/- 7.2 days in the 54 control women). Appendicular LM (aLM) was calculated as the sum of LM in arms and legs. Functional recovery was assessed using Barthel index scores. Barthel index efficiency was calculated as the change in the Barthel index score after rehabilitation divided by the length of stay in hospital. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, height, fat mass, Barthel index scores at admission, and time between fracture occurrence and DXA assessment, aLM was significantly associated with Barthel index scores after rehabilitation (r = 0.480; P = 0.013) and Barthel index efficiency (r = 0.633; P = 0.001) in the 27 men. Conversely, in the 54 control women, no significant associations were found between aLM and the functional scores. CONCLUSIONS: LM assessed after hip fracture is significantly associated with the functional outcome in men.