Low body mass index is associated with increased mortality in patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures

AimsFractures of the pelvis and acetabulum are often the consequence of high energy trauma in young individuals or fragility fractures in osteoporotic bone. They can be life-threatening or life changing injuries. No published data exists comparing body mass index (BMI) and mortality for this patient group. The aim of this study was to identify if low BMI (<18.5) was a predictor of morbidity and mortality for patients with these injuries.Patients and MethodsOf the 1033 patients with pelvic or acetabular fractures referred to a single level 1 major trauma centre (MTC) over a 4.5-year period (August 2015 - January 2020); we retrospectively analysed data for all admitted patients. Data was collected on demographics, injury pattern, operative intervention and complications. Comparison was made between patients that were underweight (BMI<18.5) and patients that were not. Both in-hospital and post discharge complications were recorded including pulmonary embolus (PE), deep venous thrombosis (DVT), ileus, infection, loss of reduction and mortality at 6 months.Results569 patients admitted to the MTC with a pelvic or acetabular fracture were included in our analysis. Underweight patients had a statistically significant increase in mortality both in-hospital (p = 0.019) and at 6 months post injury (p = 0.039) when compared to other BMI groups. No statistical significance was found between these BMI groups comparing morbidity: DVT (p = 0.712), PE (p = 0.736) nor ileus (p = 0.149). Covariate analysis showed that a low BMI was associated with triple the in-hospital mortality after correction for age and energy of injury (adjusted OR 3.028, 95% CI 1.059-8.659).ConclusionThis is the first published study that demonstrates a statistically significant increase in mortality in patients with pelvic or acetabular fractures who are underweight. Surgeons should carefully consider appropriate peri-operative optimisation for these patients. Further investigation into the effects of low BMI and response to trauma is required.     

Techniques for predicting and avoiding unintentional biplanar movements during iliosacral screw placement

The technique for placing iliosacral screws typically involves the surgeon using an inlet and outlet view as the primary means for assessing the anteroposterior and craniocaudal position of the guidewire, respectively. However, because these views are rarely, if ever, orthogonal to one another, this technique will inevitably lead to unintentional biplanar movements. These unintentional movements, in turn, require correction, which can increase operating room and fluoroscopic time. Here we calculate the degree and magnitude of these unintentional movements. Additionally, we provide a simple technique for minimizing or eliminating them altogether.     

A carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone intramedullary nail improves fracture site visibility on postoperative radiographic images

IntroductionTo evaluate the advantages of a carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR/PEEK) intramedullary nail on the diagnosis of fracture healing because of its radiolucency, we retrospectively reviewed radiographs and computed tomography (CT) images of trochanteric femoral fractures that underwent internal fixation with the CFR/PEEK intramedullary nail or a traditional metallic intramedullary nail.MethodsRadiographs and CT images from 20 patients with intertrochanteric femoral fractures treated with a CFR/PEEK intramedullary nail and 20 similar patients treated with a metallic intramedullary nail were reviewed. After division of the intertrochanteric region into three zones on anteroposterior and lateral views of the radiographs, the visibilities of the fracture site, fracture line, and bone formation were evaluated in each zone. A three-grade assessment for existence of scattering and effect of scattering on diagnosis of the surrounding bone was performed on three axial slices of the CT images.ResultsIn the CFR/PEEK group, the fracture site was visible in all zones for all cases except for the posterior zone on the lateral view in one case. In the cranial and middle zones on anteroposterior views and the middle zone on lateral views of the radiographs, the visible fracture site rates in the CFR/PEEK group were significantly higher than those in the metal group. The grades for existence of scattering and effect of scattering on diagnosis of surrounding bone on the CT images were significantly lower in the CFR/PEEK group compared with the metal group.ConclusionSuperior fracture site visibility on radiographs was demonstrated in cases treated with the CFR/PEEK intramedullary nail compared with cases treated with the traditional metallic intramedullary nail, thereby confirming the advantages of the CFR/PEEK intramedullary nail for evaluation of fracture reduction and bone formation. The CFR/PEEK nail evoked little scattering on CT images, leading to higher diagnostic values for the peri-prosthetic cancellous and cortical bone compared with the metallic nail.     

中国10个地区成年人自评健康状况与全因死亡、心血管疾病死亡风险的关联研究

目的 分析自评健康状况（SRH）与全因死亡和心血管疾病（CVD）死亡风险的关联性。方法 研究对象来自中国慢性病前瞻性研究,剔除有逻辑错误和信息缺失的个体,最终纳入512 713名研究对象。SRH在基线问卷调查时搜集,包括整体自评健康状况（GSRH）及与同龄人相比自评健康状况（ASRH）;死亡事件及原因通过链接到疾病死亡监测系统和国家医保系统获取。采用多因素校正的Cox比例风险回归模型估计SRH与全因死亡和CVD死亡的关联性。结果 在平均9.9年的随访时间里,共观测到44 065例死亡事件,其中17 648例死于CVD。与GSRH良好的人相比,GSRH较差的研究对象未来发生全因死亡及CVD死亡的风险效应（HR）值（95%CI）分别是1.84（1.78~1.91）和1.94（1.82~2.06）。与ASRH更好的人相比,ASRH更差的研究对象未来发生全因死亡及CVD死亡的HR值（95%CI）分别是1.75（1.70~1.81）和1.83（1.73~1.92）。两种SRH指标与全因死亡和CVD死亡的关联性在各个亚组分析和敏感性分析中都保持显著,且SRH越差、死亡风险越高。结论 SRH简单易用,SRH越差、个体未来全因死亡/CVD死亡风险越高。     

硒维生素E和碘对营养性肥胖小鼠的影响

目的:探讨硒、维生素E和碘对营养性肥胖小鼠的影响。方法:先将小鼠随机分为普食对照组和营养性肥胖组,然后将营养性肥胖小鼠分为肥胖对照组、硒组、维生素E组、碘组、硒维生素E组和硒维生素E碘组,采用灌胃的方式给予硒、维生素E和碘,10周后检测体重、血糖、血清总胆固醇(TC)、血清甘油三酯(TG)、下丘脑瘦素、肝丙二醛(MDA)。结果:硒、维生素E和碘可减轻体重,降低血糖、TC、TG;下丘脑瘦素、肝MDA水平下降。结论:硒、维生素E、碘以及硒维生素E合用、硒维生素E碘合用均能降低肥胖小鼠体重、血糖、TC、TG,尤以硒维生素E碘合用效果为佳。