Risk of mortality and reoperation in hip fracture patients undergoing cemented versus uncemented hemiarthroplasty

Aims The aim of this study was to assess the association of mortality and reoperation when comparing cemented and uncemented hemiarthroplasty (HA) in hip fracture patients aged over 65 years. Methods This was a population-based cohort study on hip fracture patients using prospectively gathered data from several national registries in Denmark from 2004 to 2015 with up to five years follow-up. The primary outcome was mortality and the secondary outcome was reoperation. Hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality and subdistributional hazard ratios (sHRs) for reoperations are shown with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results A total of 17,671 patients with primary HA were identified (9,484 uncemented and 8,187 cemented HAs). Compared to uncemented HA, surgery with cemented HA was associated with an absolute risk difference of 0.4% for mortality within the period zero to one day after surgery and an adjusted HR of 1.70 (95% CI 1.22 to 2.38). After seven days, there was no longer any association, with an adjusted HR of 1.07 (95% CI 0.90 to 1.28). This continued until five years after surgery with a HR of 1.01 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.06). There was a higher proportion of reoperations due to any reason after five years in the uncemented group with 10.2% compared to the cemented group with 6.1%. This yielded an adjusted sHR of 0.65 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.75) and difference continued up until five years after the surgery, demonstrating a sHR of 0.70 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.83). Conclusion In a non-selected cohort of hip fracture patients, surgery with cemented HA was associated with a higher relative mortality during the first postoperative day compared to surgery with uncemented HA, but there was no difference after seven days up until five years after. In contrast, surgery with cemented HA was associated with lower risk of reoperation up to five years postoperatively compared with surgery with uncemented HA. There was a higher relative mortality on the first postoperative day for cemented HA versus uncemented HA. There was no difference in mortality after seven days up until five years after surgery. There were 6.1% reoperations for cemented HA compared to 10.2% for uncemented HA after five years. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(1):127–133.

International Evidence on the COVID-19 Deaths of People Who Live in Long-Term Care Facilities

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact, in terms of mortality, on people who live in Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCFs). This study involved compiling data on number of deaths of people who live in LTCFs and analyzing the extent to which differences between countries could be attributed to measures taken to control the spread of COVID-19 to LTCFs or to other factors. The study found that differences in how the data is collected make international comparisons difficult but that there is a clear correlation between number of COVID-19 deaths of residents in LTCFs and number of COVID-19 deaths of people living in the community. The study also found that countries that experienced a particularly high number of deaths in LTCFs during the first COVID-19 wave tended to have lower relative mortality in LTCFs in the subsequent waves, which potentially could be attributed to learning from the initial shock.

Assessing relative COVID-19 mortality during the second wave: a prospective Swiss population-based study

ObjectiveDuring the first COVID-19 wave in Switzerland, relative mortality was at least eight times higher compared with the uninfected general population. We aimed to assess sex-specific and age-specific relative mortality associated with a SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis during the second wave.DesignProspective population-based study.SettingIndividuals testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 after the start of the second wave on 1 October 2020 were followed up until death or administrative censoring on 31 December 2020.Participants5 179 740 inhabitants of Switzerland in fall 2018 aged 35–95 years (without COVID-19) and 257 288 persons tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR or antigen testing during the second wave.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe planned outcome measure was time to death from any cause, measured from the date of a SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis or 1 October in the general population. Information on confirmed SARS-CoV-2 diagnoses and deaths was matched by calendar time with the all-cause mortality of the general Swiss population of 2018. Proportional hazards models were used to estimate sex-specific and age-specific mortality rates and probabilities of death within 60 days.ResultsThe risk of death for individuals tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the second wave in Switzerland increased at least sixfold compared with the general population. HRs, reflecting the risk attributable to a SARS-CoV-2 infection, were higher for men (1.40, 95% CI 1.29 to 1.52) and increased for each additional year of age (1.01, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.02). COVID-19 mortality was reduced by at least 20% compared with the first wave in spring 2020.ConclusionGeneral mortality patterns, increased for men and older persons, were similar in spring and in fall. Absolute and relative COVID-19 mortality was smaller in fall.Trial registrationThe protocol for this study was registered on 3 December 2020 at https://osf.io/gbd6r.

Does the prenatal factor or the postnatal factor contribute more to changes in the child sex ratio in India? An investigation in the context of fertility and mortality transition

There has been a drastic decline in the child sex ratio (number of females per 1000 males between ages 0 and 4) in India and many of its states. This study aimed to examine if prenatal factors, such as change in sex ratio at birth, or postnatal factors, such as change in relative mortality of females and males, contribute to this more by analysing the dynamics of the child sex ratio. Changes in the child sex ratio during 2001–2011 were decomposed into a ‘fertility’ component attributable to prenatal sex selection and a ‘mortality’ component attributable to sex differentials in postnatal survival at the country as well as the state level. Between the prenatal factor and the postnatal factor, the contribution of the latter to the declining child sex ratio has been greater than the former in India as a whole and in most of the states. By focusing on both prenatal and postnatal factors, the imbalance in the child sex ratio in the country can be reduced to a large extent.

Assessing relative COVID-19 mortality: a Swiss population-based study

ObjectiveSeverity of the COVID-19 has been previously reported in terms of absolute mortality in SARS-CoV-2 positive cohorts. An assessment of mortality relative to mortality in the general population is presented.DesignRetrospective population-based study.SettingIndividual information on symptomatic confirmed SARS-CoV-2 patients and subsequent deaths from any cause were compared with the all-cause mortality in the Swiss population of 2018. Starting 23 February 2020, mortality in COVID-19 patients was monitored for 80 days and compared with the population mortality observed in the same time of year starting 23 February 2018.Participants5 102 300 inhabitants of Switzerland aged 35–95 without COVID-19 (general population in spring 2018) and 20 769 persons tested positively for COVID-19 during the first wave in spring 2020.MeasurementsSex-specific and age-specific mortality rates were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. Absolute probabilities of death were predicted and risk was assessed in terms of relative mortality by taking the ratio between the sex-specific and age-specific absolute mortality in COVID-19 patients and the corresponding mortality in the 2018 general population.ResultsAbsolute mortalities increased with age and were higher for males compared with females, both in the general population and in positively tested persons. A confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection substantially increased the probability of death across all patient groups at least eightfold. The highest relative mortality risks were observed among males and younger patients. Male COVID-19 patients exceeded the population hazard for males (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.44). An additional year of age increased the population hazard in COVID-19 patients only marginally (HR 1.00, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.01).ConclusionsHealthcare professionals, decision-makers and societies are provided with an additional population-adjusted assessment of COVID-19 mortality risk. In combination with absolute measures of risk, the relative risks presented here help to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the actual impact of COVID-19.

Fractures’ associated mortality risk in orthogeriatric inpatients: a prospective 2-year survey

Purpose The most common osteoporotic fragility fractures are hip, vertebral and upper extremity fractures. An association with increased mortality is widely described with their occurrence. Fracture-specific associated death rates were determined in a 2-year follow-up for patients treated on an orthogeriatric ward. These were compared amongst each other, examined for changes with age and their impact on the relative mortality risk in relation to the corresponding population. Methods We assessed all patients that were treated in the course of a year on an orthogeriatric ward and suffered from the following injuries: hip (HF), vertebral (VF) and upper extremity fractures (UEF). In a 2-year follow-up it was possible to determine the month of death in the case of the patient’s decease. Pairwise comparisons of the three fracture type death rates were performed through Cox-Regression. We stratified the fracture-dependent absolute mortality and age-specific mortality risk (ASMR) for age groups 71–80, 81–90 and 91–95. Results Overall, we assessed 240 patients with HF, 96 with VF and 127 with UEF over the span of a year. 1- and 2-year-mortality was: HF: 29.6% a.e. 42.9%, VF: 29.2% a.e. 36.5%, UEF: 20.5% a.e 34.6%. Pairwise comparisons of these mortality values revealed no significant differences. In association with HF and VF, we observed a significant increase of 2-year mortality for the oldest compared to the youngest patients (HF: 60.4% vs. 22.5%; p = 0.028) (VF 70% vs. 14.3%; p = 0.033). The analogue comparison for UEF revealed no relevant difference in age-dependent mortality (40.9% vs. 31.1%; p = 0.784). Common for all fracture types ASMR’s were more elevated in the younger patients and decreased with higher age. Conclusion The fracture-related mortality in the 2-year follow-up was comparable. We observed a reduction of relative mortality risk in the oldest patients. While a direct influence of fracture on mortality must be supposed, we support the thesis of the fracture rather being an indicator of higher susceptibility of timely death.

Etomidate, Adrenal Insufficiency and Mortality Associated With Severity of Illness: A Meta-Analysis

Purpose: Etomidate causes adrenal insufficiency. Yet in critically ill patients, it is controversial whether it increases mortality rates above that of comparator anesthetic induction agents. We postulated that etomidate would increase relative mortality rates correspondingly to the severity of illness as defined by SAPS or APACHE scores. Materials and Methods: A literature search was performed on Pub Med, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Reviews for human studies, regardless of language, between 1983 and February 2020. The search strategy used keywords, “etomidate,” “adrenal insufficiency,” “glucocorticoid,” and “intensive care.” Both authors reviewed electronic data search titles, abstracts and extracted data, which were checked by the other reviewer. Primary outcome was 28-day survival. Secondary outcome was adrenal insufficiency. Results: There were 29 trials of etomidate versus comparators in 8584 patients. Etomidate was associated with adrenal insufficiency (risk ratio (rr) = 1·54, 95% CI; 1·42, 1·67, p < 0.001) and increased overall relative mortality rates (rr = 1.09, CI;1.04,1.16, p = 0.001). Meta-regression showed that with etomidate there was a continuous progressive relative risk of mortality associated with increasing severity of illness (predefined in each article by standard critical illness scores). In those patients who had a predicted mortality rate > the median for this analysis (predicted mortality 44%) the relative mortality rate (rr) = 1.20, Ci;1.12,1.29, p < 0.001, the absolute risk difference (rd) = 0.08, CI;0.05,0.11, p < 0.0001 and the number needed to harm (1/rd) was 12.5. In those with a calculated predicted mortality <44% there was no increase in relative mortality rate. Conclusions: Whereas etomidate causes adrenal insufficiency, it was not shown to increase mortality in many analyzed here in ICU settings. However, etomidate associated relative mortality rates increased progressively and correlated with the severity of critical illness scores. Intensivists should anticipate the need for glucocorticoid supplementation after etomidate in those with severe critical illness and in those with acute deterioration of vital signs.

A SOCIAL MEDIA-BASED SURVEY AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS TO EVALUATE THE INCIDENCE OF COVID19-LIKE PNEUMONIA FROM NOVEMBER 2019 IN INDIA

The COVID-19 pandemic has been responsible for over 500,000 deaths and 12 million infections as of July 2020. Though the number of cases in India is growing, the rate of rise rising in infections and the relative mortality rate has been lower than predicted. While many hypotheses have been laid out as possible reasons, a few physicians noticed a significant peak in COVID19-like respiratory infections through November – January 2020, and. They attributed this as the reason behind the lower mortality rate as a result of some kind of pre-existing immunity to the virus. A social media survey instrument was used to gather inputs from doctors and other individuals in the healthcare industry to understand the volume of doctors who noticed rising COVID19-like viral URTI cases during November – January 2020. The survey specifically asked about symptoms associated with coronavirus infections and about any rise in cases noted by treating physicians. 174 individuals answered the survey (46% treating physicians and 54% other healthcare professionals). The survey covered 41 cities in India and reported a growth of cases from before November 2019 to a peak in January 2020. Physicians surveyed, reported a rise in upper respiratory cases up to 50% during that time. 91% of all individuals surveyed had some or all of the symptoms associated with coronavirus infection. These findings may indicate the presence of an earlier strain of coronavirus or similar virus and be a contributing factor to the slower initial spread and lowered mortality noted in India. Further epidemiological studies are needed to draw any definitive conclusions.

Estimates of age-specific death rates and mortality risk using administrative pharmaceutical data

BackgroundEstimates of age-specific mortality rates and relative mortality risks are useful for a variety of health, actuarial and life insurance purposes. Mortality risk may also be associated with individual health service utilisation. Main AimWe aimed to identify mortality events using pharmaceutical administrative data and quantify mortality rates and their relationship to levels of pharmaceutical health utilisation. ApproachA publicly available Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) database was employed for this study. For all individuals listed in the dataset the last recorded prescription exchange was used to define a proxy mortality event and health utilisation was quantified by the average number of prescriptions exchanged per year (ppy). Age-specific mortality rates were calculated from PBS data for a range of heath utilisation levels and used with Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) death rate data to estimate relative mortality risk. ResultsThe age-specific population profile of 256 190 persons utilising PBS services closely correlated with Australian census data (r=0.97). Age specific PBS mortality rates calculated using proxy mortality events correlated well with ABS death rates for persons aged >45 years but correlated poorly in younger age groups. In these younger age cohorts PBS utilisation was associated with a high relative mortality risk, whereas for older persons aged mortality rates approached equivalence with ABS data. Mortality rates were associated with use of the PBS. High PBS use (>20 ppy) was associated with poorer mortality rates whereas moderate PBS use (5-19 ppy) was associated with improved mortality as compared to persons using PBS minimally (<5 ppy) (p<.05). ConclusionPharmaceutical administrative data can identify mortality events and provide estimates of mortality rates and relative mortality risks associated with health care use.