Effect of intravenous iron on functional outcomes in hip fracture: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: to determine the safety and effect of intravenous iron sucrose on functional outcomes, delirium, nosocomial infections and transfusion requirements in older patients with hip fracture. DESIGN: single-centre randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: orthogeriatric share care service at an academic tertiary care hospital. A total of 253 patients were recruited: 126 patients were assigned to intravenous iron and 127 to placebo. METHODS: on days 1, 3 and 5 after admission, the iron group received 200 mg Venofer® (iron sucrose) in 100 ml saline and the placebo group 100 ml saline. The primary outcome was absolute functional gain, considered as Barthel index (BI) at discharge minus BI on admission. Secondary outcomes included incidence of postoperative delirium according to the confusion assessment method, proportion of patients recovering prior functional status at 3 months, postoperative transfusion requirements, haemoglobin at 3 months, incidence of nosocomial infections and safety. RESULTS: the median participant age was 87 (interquartile range, 82.5-91.5) years. Most patients were female (72.7%), and the median previous BI was 81(59-95). No significant effect of intravenous iron was observed for the primary outcome: the median AFG score was 17.1 points (4.8-23.3) in the intravenous iron group and 16 points (6-26) in the placebo group (P = 0.369). No significant treatment effects were observed for other functional outcomes or secondary end points. CONCLUSION: while we found no impact of intravenous iron sucrose on functional recovery, incidence of postoperative delirium, transfusion requirements, haemoglobin at 3 months, mortality and nosocomial infections rates in older patients with hip fracture, we did find that the intervention was safe.

Impact of delirium on short-term outcomes in hip fracture patients under a program of approach to delirium.

AIM: We aimed to investigate the impact of delirium on short-term outcomes in hip fracture patients. Special attention was given to patients with delirium and dementia. METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study was carried out in hip fracture patients aged ≥70 years who were admitted to a hospital unit where a multicomponents approach to delirium is established for all patients. Our population was split into delirium (n = 212) and non-delirium cohort (n = 171) according to the Confusion Assessment Method. Patients with a previous diagnosis of dementia in an outpatient appointment were also assessed within the delirium cohort. The utility of the rehabilitation was measured with the Absolute Functional Gain index. RESULTS: A total of 383 patients were entered into the study. The median age was 86 years, and most patients were women (78.8%). Delirium patients were older, presented a lower previous Barthel Index (BI), had higher rates of dementia and came more frequently from nursing homes. Comparative analysis did not show differences in mortality, complications, length of stay or walking ability between the cohorts. However, lower BI on discharge, lower Absolute Functional Gain and the presence of nosocomial infections were found more frequently in the delirium cohort. In multivariate analysis, only the BI on discharge (P = 0.010) was lower in delirium patients. Within the delirium cohort, those suffering from dementia had worse BI on discharge (P = 0.017) and lower Absolute Functional Gain (P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Delirium was not associated with mortality, walking ability, length of stay and clinical complications in hip fracture patients. BI on discharge was the only short-term outcome affected. In the delirium cohort, those suffering from dementia showed worse rehabilitation results. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 130-137.

Impact of a patient blood management program within an Orthogeriatric care service.

BACKGROUND: Patient blood management (PBM) performs multidisciplinary strategies to optimize red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. Orthogeriatric share care models (surgeon and geriatrician manage the patient together from admission) have the goal of improving outcomes in hip fracture patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted. Patients aged ≥70 years undergoing hip fracture (HF) surgery were consecutively included. When admitted on the orthogeriatric service a PBM protocol was applied based on: perioperative antithrombotic management, intravenous iron sucrose administration and restrictive transfusion criteria. Risk factors, clinical and functional effects of transfusion and its requirements were assessed to audit our model. RESULTS: A total of 383 patients participated (women, 78.8%; median age, 86 (82-90) years). 210 patients (54.8%) were transfused. Age (OR = 1.055, 95% CI 1.017-1.094; p = 0.004) and Hemoglobin (Hb) level on admission (OR = 0.497, 95% CI 0.413-0.597; p < 0.001) were found to be significant risk factors for transfusion. Transfusion increased length of stay (b = 1.37, 95% CI 0.543-2.196; p = 0.001) but did not have an effect on other variables. DISCUSSION: The PBM program established within an orthogeriatric service showed positive outcomes in terms of clinical complications, mortality, delirium or functional recovery in transfused patients, whereas it did not impact on shorter length of stay. The risk of transfusion on admission was predicted with the lower Hb levels on admission, along with the age of the patients. New measurements as homogenous restrictive transfusion criteria, a single-unit RBC transfusion and the assessment of the intravenous iron efficacy are need to be applied as a result of the high transfusion requirements.

Evaluación de las complicaciones clínicas de los pacientes con fractura de cadera y sus factores asociados en una Unidad de Agudos de Ortogeriatría / Assessment of clinical complications and their associated factors in hip-fracture patients in an Acute Geriatric Orthopaedic Unit

Introducción. Las complicaciones clínicas en pacientes con fractura de cadera (FC) son elevadas y variables por su heterogéneo registro. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar las complicaciones clínicas y sus factores asociados en pacientes con FC ingresados en la Unidad de Ortogeriatría de un hospital universitario de 283 camas que atiende un promedio de 200 FC/año. Material y métodos. Se incluyó a 383 pacientes ingresados consecutivamente en 2013 y en 2014 en un estudio analítico observacional prospectivo. Las complicaciones clínicas se definieron según recomendaciones avaladas por la AOTrauma Network (Red de Trabajo de la Asociación Internacional de Traumatólogos para el estudio de la osteosíntesis). Resultados. Doscientos setenta y tres pacientes (71,28%) presentaron alguna complicación. Las principales fueron el delirium (55,4%), la insuficiencia renal (15,4%) y las complicaciones cardiacas (12,3%). Se asociaron a la presencia de alguna complicación la clasificación ASA III-IV (OR=1,962; IC del 95%, 1,040-3,704; p = 0,038), un índice de Barthel al alta inferior (b = -3,572;IC del 95%, -0,866 a -0,104; p = 0,01), el incremento en la estancia media (b = 2,683; IC del 95%, 3,522-0,325; p < 0,001) y preoperatoria (OR = 1,165; IC del 95%, 1,050-1,294; p = 0,004). Conclusiones. Las complicaciones clínicas más frecuentes son el delirium, la insuficiencia renal y las complicaciones cardiacas. Una puntuación en la escala de ASA III-IV, una peor situación funcional al alta, así como una estancia preoperatoria y media prolongada, son factores asociados a la presencia de alguna complicación clínica. Las complicaciones cardiacas, pulmonares y digestivas son las principales causas de mortalidad en la unidad

Introduction. The incidence of clinical complications in hip fracture (HF) patients is high and variable due to their heterogeneous nature. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical complications and their associated factors in HF patients admitted to the Orthopaedic Geriatric Unit of a 283 bed University Hospital. An average of 200 HF patients is attended yearly. Material and methods. A prospective, observational and analytical study was conducted on 383 consecutive patients admitted to the unit during the years 2013 and 2014. Clinical complications were defined according to recommendations supported by the AOTrauma Network (International Network of Traumatologists for the Study of Osteosynthesis). Results. A total of 273 patients (71.28%) showed some clinical complication. The main ones were, delirium (55.4%), renal failure (15.4%), and cardiac complications (12.3%). An ASA III-IV score of OR = 1.962 (95% CI; 1.040-3.704, P=.038), lower Barthel index at discharge (b = -3.572, 95% CI -0.866 to -0.104, P=.01), the increase in pre-operative stay (OR = 1.165, 95% CI 1.050-1.294, P=.004) and an increased length of stay (b = 2.663, 95% CI 3.522-0.325; P<.001) were factors associated with clinical complications. Conclusions. Delirium, renal failure, and cardiac complications were the most frequent complications according the new recommendations. An ASA III-IV score, worse functional status at discharge, prolonged pre-operative period, and increased length of stay, were risk factors associated with clinical complications. Cardiac, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal complications were the main causes of mortality in the unit

[Assessment of clinical complications and their associated factors in hip-fracture patients in an Acute Geriatric Orthopaedic Unit]. / Evaluación de las complicaciones clínicas de los pacientes con fractura de cadera y sus factores asociados en una Unidad de Agudos de Ortogeriatría.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of clinical complications in hip fracture (HF) patients is high and variable due to their heterogeneous nature. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical complications and their associated factors in HF patients admitted to the Orthopaedic Geriatric Unit of a 283 bed University Hospital. An average of 200 HF patients is attended yearly. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective, observational and analytical study was conducted on 383 consecutive patients admitted to the unit during the years 2013 and 2014. Clinical complications were defined according to recommendations supported by the AOTrauma Network (International Network of Traumatologists for the Study of Osteosynthesis). RESULTS: A total of 273 patients (71.28%) showed some clinical complication. The main ones were, delirium (55.4%), renal failure (15.4%), and cardiac complications (12.3%). An ASA III-IV score of OR = 1.962 (95% CI; 1.040-3.704, P=.038), lower Barthel index at discharge (b = -3.572, 95% CI -0.866 to -0.104, P=.01), the increase in pre-operative stay (OR = 1.165, 95% CI 1.050-1.294, P=.004) and an increased length of stay (b = 2.663, 95% CI 3.522-0.325; P<.001) were factors associated with clinical complications. CONCLUSIONS: Delirium, renal failure, and cardiac complications were the most frequent complications according the new recommendations. An ASA III-IV score, worse functional status at discharge, prolonged pre-operative period, and increased length of stay, were risk factors associated with clinical complications. Cardiac, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal complications were the main causes of mortality in the unit.