Fragility fractures are associated with high mortality and morbidity. Due to the high prevalence of comorbidities and the high risk of complications, the application of geriatric principles in the treatment of these patients is essential. In recent years, there has been a paradigm shift in the treatment of fragility fractures from an orthopedic injury to an orthogeriatric syndrome. This article provides an overview of the orthogeriatric principles in the treatment of patients with fragility fractures.

Background: The decision of the Joint Federal Committee on the treatment of hip fractures stipulates that proximal femur fractures must be treated within the first 24 h. This leads to organizational and personnel difficulties in day-to-day care. Therefore, we investigated the question at what times of day we operate to maintain this timeline and whether there is a difference in the outcome for the patients according to treatment hours. Methods: Data from the DGU's "AltersTraumaRegister" from 2016 to 2020 were analyzed. For the analysis, the patients were divided into seven cohorts depending on the time of surgery. Pre-operative, operative, and follow-up data were analyzed. Results: A total of 29,470 patients were included in our study. The results showed that 74% of patients were treated within 24 h. 72% of patients operated on between 0-7 h had pertrochanteric fractures, while 56% of all arthroplasties were performed during normal working hours. In supra-regional trauma centers, significantly fewer operations were performed during normal working hours, while significantly more surgeries were carried out in the late evening and at night (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in mortality and morbidity between the individual groups. Conclusions: Although we manage to treat most patients within 24 h, only 46% of patients are operated on within normal working hours. In terms of the outcome parameters, this does not appear to be a disadvantage for the patients. Nevertheless, night work and fatigue affect concentration and post-operative results in many areas, as we know. Consequently, patient care during normal working hours within 24 h creates the best possible initial situation for the patient, as significantly more personnel resources are available during normal working hours. The aim should be to create the logistical and personnel requirements for this.

This study developed an easy-to-use mortality prediction tool, which showed an acceptable discrimination and no significant lack of fit. The GeRi-Score was able to predict mortality and could distinguish between mild, moderate and high risk groups. Therefore, the GeRi-Score might have the potential to distribute the intensity of medical care. Several mortality-predicting tools for hip fracture patients are available, but all consist of a high number of variables, require a time-consuming evaluation and/or are difficult to calculate. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an easy-to-use score, which depends mostly on routine data. Patients from the Registry for Geriatric Trauma were divided into a development and a validation group. Logistic regression models were used to build a model for in-house mortality and to obtain a score. Candidate models were compared using Akaike information criteria (AIC) and likelihood ratio tests. The quality of the model was tested using the area under the curve (AUC) and the Hosmer–Lemeshow test. 38,570 patients were included, almost equal distributed to the development and to the validation dataset. The AUC was 0.727 (95% CI 0.711 – 0.742) for the final model, AIC resulted in a significant reduction in deviance compared to the basic model, and the Hosmer–Lemeshow test showed no significant lack of fit (p = 0.07). The GeRi-Score predicted an in-house mortality of 5.3% vs. 5.3% observed mortality in the development dataset and 5.4% vs. 5.7% in the validation dataset. The GeRi-Score was able to distinguish between mild, moderate and high risk groups. The GeRi-Score is an easy-to-use mortality-predicting tool with an acceptable discrimination and no significant lack of fit. The GeRi-Score might have the potential to distribute the intensity of perioperative medical care in hip fracture surgery and can be used in quality management programs as benchmark tool.

Im Jahr 2020 stellte die COVID-19-Pandemie eine große Herausforderung für das Gesundheitssystem dar. Die Hypothese lautet, dass die COVID-19-Pandemie im Jahr 2020 aufgrund von Ressourcenknappheit Auswirkungen auf die Versorgung älterer Erwachsener mit proximaler Femurfraktur hatte, unabhängig davon, ob der Patient infiziert war oder nicht. Diese Studie analysiert die Daten von 87 Krankenhäusern, die in den Jahren 2019 und 2020 15.289 Patienten in das „AltersTraumaRegister DGU®“ in Deutschland aufgenommen haben. In dieser Studie wurde der Einfluss der COVID-19-Pandemie auf die stationäre Behandlung und das Outcome von alterstraumatologischen Patienten mit hüftgelenknahen Frakturen analysiert. Für die Hauptanalyse haben wir Patienten, die während der COVID-19-Pandemie im Jahr 2020 (April bis Dezember) dokumentiert wurden, mit einer Kontrollgruppe aus dem Jahr 2019 (April bis Dezember) verglichen. Zusätzlich haben wir eine Untergruppenanalyse der Zeiträume mit hohen COVID-19-Inzidenzraten durchgeführt. Zwischen 2019 und 2020 wurden 11.669 Patienten (2020: n = 6002 Patienten vs. 2019: n = 5667 Patienten) in diese Studie eingeschlossen. Es wurden nur geringe Unterschiede zwischen den während der Pandemie behandelten Patienten festgestellt. Wenn jedoch die COVID-19-Inzidenz in Deutschland größer als 50/100.000 Einwohner war, wurden eine signifikant erhöhte Mortalität während des stationären Aufenthalts festgestellt (8,4

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE:In 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic posed a major challenge to the healthcare system. The hypothesis is that the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 had an impact on the care of older adults with proximal femoral fractures due to resource scarcity, regardless of whether or not the patient was infected. MATERIAL AND METHODS:This study analyzed the data of 87 hospitals which entered 15,289 patients in the Geriatric Trauma Register ("AltersTraumaRegister DGU®", ATR-DGU) in Germany in 2019 and 2020. In this study we analyzed the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the inpatient treatment of hip fractures as well as the mid-term follow-up during the first 120 days. For the main analysis, we compared patients documented during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 (April-December) with a control group in 2019 (April-December). Additionally, we performed a subgroup analysis of the periods with high COVID-19 incidence rates. RESULTS:Between 2019 and 2020 a total of 11,669 patients (2020: n = 6002 patients vs. 2019: n = 5667 patients) were included in this study. Only minor differences were found between the patients treated during the pandemic; however, when the COVID-19 incidence in Germany was greater than 50/100,000 residents, significantly fewer patients (p < 0.001) were discharged to a geriatric rehabilitation ward (27.2% vs. 36.3%) and an increased mortality rate during inpatient treatment was determined (8.4% vs. 4.6%) (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION:The healthcare system was able to respond to the pandemic and patients' clinical courses were not impaired as long as the incidences were low. Nevertheless, the healthcare system reached its limits in times of higher incidence, which was also directly reflected in the patient outcome, mortality and place of discharge.

Background and Objectives: The increased use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) results in an increased prevalence of DOAC treatment in hip fractures patients. However, the impact of DOAC treatment on perioperative management of hip fracture patients is limited. In this study, we describe the prevalence of DOAC treatment in a population of hip fracture patients and compare these patients with patients taking vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and patients not taking anticoagulants. Materials and Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis from the Registry for Geriatric Trauma (ATR-DGU). The data were collected prospectively from patients with proximal femur fractures treated between January 2016 and December 2018. Among other factors, anticoagulation was surveyed. The primary outcome parameter was time-to-surgery. Further parameters were: type of anesthesia, surgical complications, soft tissue complications, length of stay and mortality. Results: In total, 11% (n = 1595) of patients took DOACs at the time of fracture, whereas 9.2% (n = 1325) were on VKA therapy. During the study period, there was a shift from VKA to DOACs. The time-to-surgery of patients on DOACs and of patients on VKA was longer compared to patients who did not take any anticoagulation. No significant differences with regard to complications, type of anesthesia and mortality were found between patients on DOACs compared to VKA treatment. Conclusion: An increased time-to-surgery in patients taking DOACs and taking VKA compared to non-anticoagulated patients was found. This underlines the need for standardized multi-disciplinary orthopedic, hematologic and ortho-geriatric algorithms for the management of hip fracture patients under DOAC treatment. In addition, no significant differences regarding complications and mortality were found between DOAC and VKA users. This demonstrates that even in the absence of widely available antidotes, the safe management of geriatric patients under DOACs with proximal femur fractures is possible.

Purpose The German Society for Geriatrics recommends the “ISAR” questionnaire as a screening tool for patients ≥70 for geriatric screening in emergency rooms. Although the ISAR-score is collected routinely in the “AltersTraumaRegister DGU®” (ATR-DGU), to date less is known about the predictive value of the “ISAR”-score in geriatric trauma patients. Patients and Methods Currently, 84 clinics participate in the ATR-DGU. This evaluation is limited to the subgroup of proximal femur fractures from 2016–2018. Patients ≥70 years, who underwent surgery for a hip fracture are included in the ATR-DGU. In this evaluation, the influence of the “ISAR”-score on mortality, length of stay, mobility and the destination of discharge was examined. Results Overall 10,098 patients were included in the present study. The median age was 85 years (interquartile range (IQ) 80–89 years). According to the ISAR-score 80.6% (n=8142) of the patients were classified as geriatric patients (cut off “ISAR”-score ≥2 points). These group of patients had a length of stay of 16 days (IQ10.1–22.1) compared to the non-geriatric patient cohort showing a length of stay of 15 days (IQ10.1–20.1). Patients showing an ISAR-score ≥2 had an increased risk of being discharged to a nursing home (OR 8.25), not being able to walk (OR 12.52) and higher risk of mortality (OR 3.45). Conclusion The “ISAR”-score shows predictive power for the length of stay, mobility, hospital mortality and discharge after hospital in the collective of geriatric trauma patients. It therefore seems suitable as a screening tool for geriatric trauma patients in the emergency department and should be considered in this context.

Background The aim of the present study was to describe specific characteristics of patients suffering from pelvic fragility fractures and evaluate factors that might influence treatment decisions which may optimize treatment pathways and patient mobility in the future. Methods A prospective study with patients suffering from fractures of the pelvis and aged 60 years or above was performed between 2012 and 2016. Data acquisition took place at admission, every day during hospitalization and at discharge. Results One hundred thirty-four patients (mean age of 79.93 (± 7.67) years), predominantly female (84%), were included. Eighty-six patients were treated non-operatively. Forty-eight patients underwent a surgical procedure. The main fracture types were B2 fractures (52.24%) and FFP IIb fractures (39.55%). At the time of discharge, pain level (NRS) could be significantly reduced ( p < 0.001). Patients who underwent a surgical procedure had a significantly higher pain level on day three and four compared to the non-operative group ( p = 0.032 and p = 0.023, respectively). Significant differences were found in the mobility level: patients treated operatively on day four or later were not able to stand or walk on day three as compared to non-operatively treated patients. Regarding B2 fractures, a significantly higher mobility level difference between time of admission and discharge was found in patients treated with a surgical procedure compared to patients treated non-operatively ( p = 0.035). Conclusions Fracture type, mobility level and pain level influence the decision to proceed with surgical treatment. Especially patients suffering from B2 fractures benefitted in terms of mobility level at discharge when treated operatively. Level of evidence II

Backgroundand Objectives: Hip fractures are among the most typical geriatric fractures. Subtrochanteric fractures are considered difficult to treat, and, to date, there is no consensus on the optimal surgical treatment. Materialisand Methods: We analyzed data from the Registry for Geriatric Trauma, which includes patients ≥ 70 years old with hip fractures or periprosthetic fractures requiring surgery (21,734 patients in 2017–2019). For this study, we analyzed only the subgroup of patients with a subtrochanteric fracture. We analyzed the difference between closed and open surgical methods on a range of outcomes, including mortality, mobility, length of acute hospital stay, and the need for surgical revisions. Results: A total of 506 patients with subtrochanteric fractures were analyzed in this study. The median age was 85 years (interquartile range of 81–89). About 21.1% (n = 107) were operated on with a closed technique, 73.3% (n = 371) with open reduction without using a cerclage, and 5.53% (n = 28) with open reduction with the additional use of one or more cerclage wires. A total of 3.56% (n = 18) of the patients had complications requiring operative revision, most commonly soft tissue interventions (open vs. closed reduction—3.26% vs. 4.67%) (p = 0.687). Patients treated with open reduction were significantly more mobile 7 days after surgery (p = 0.008), while no significant effects on mortality (p = 0.312), length of hospital stay (p = 0.968), or surgical complications (p = 0.687) were found. Conclusion: Proper reduction is the gold standard practice for successful union in subtrochanteric fractures. This study shows that open reduction is not associated with a higher complication rate but does lead to increased mobility 7 days after operation. Therefore, in case of doubt, a good reduction should be aimed for, even using open techniques.

Interdisciplinary orthogeriatric care of older adult hip fracture patients is of growing importance due to an ageing population, yet there is ongoing disagreement about the most effective model of care. This study aimed to compare different forms of orthogeriatric treatment, with focus on their impact on postoperative mobilization, mobility and secondary fracture prevention. In this observational cohort study, patients aged 70 years and older with a proximal femur fracture requiring surgery, were included from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2019. Data were recorded from hospital stay to 120-day follow-up in the Registry for Geriatric Trauma (ATR-DGU), a specific designed registry for older adult hip fracture patients. Of 23,828 included patients from 95 different hospitals, 72% were female, median age was 85 (IQR 80–89) years. Increased involvement of geriatricians had a significant impact on mobilization on the first day (OR 1.1, CI 1.1–1.2) and mobility seven days after surgery (OR 1.1, CI 1.1–1.2), initiation of an osteoporosis treatment during in-hospital stay (OR 2.5, CI 2.4–2.7) and of an early complex geriatric rehabilitation treatment (OR 1.3, CI 1.2–1.4). These findings were persistent after 120 days of follow-up. Interdisciplinary treatment of orthogeriatric patients is beneficial and especially during in-patient stay increased involvement of geriatricians is decisive for early mobilization, mobility and initiation of osteoporosis treatment. Standardized treatment pathways in certified geriatric trauma departments with structured data collection in specific registries improve outcome monitoring and interpretation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in activities of daily living and self-reported health status in the first year after fragility fractures of the pelvis. We found out that these fractures lead to a significant, long-lasting deterioration of both parameters, comparable with hip fractures. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the development and to identify influencing factors in activities of daily living (ADL) and self-reported health status (HS) in the first year after fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP). A total of 134 patients with FFP ≥ 60 years were included. ADL were measured using the Barthel index (BI) and the IADL scale pre-fracture, at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. HS was evaluated using the EQ-5D questionnaire at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. Multiple regression analysis and hierarchical linear models were applied to identify influencing factors in ADL and HS. The BI was 95 pre-fracture, 75 at 6 weeks (p < 0.001), 80 at 6 months (p = 0.178), and 80 at 12 months (p = 0.149). The IADL was 6 pre-fracture, 3 at 6 weeks (p < 0.001), 4 at 6 months (p = 0.004), and 4 at 12 months (p = 0.711). The EQ-5D index was 0.70 at 6 weeks, 0.788 at 6 months (p = 0.158), and 0.788 at 12 months (p = 0.798). Significant influencing factors in the multiple regression analysis were pre-fracture nursing care level for all scores; pre-fracture mobility for BI; and pre-fracture IADL, ASA score, and age for IADL. Significant influencing factors in the hierarchical linear model were pre-fracture nursing care level for all scores; pre-fracture IADL, ASA score, age, and time for IADL; and pre-fracture mobility, sex, and time for the EQ-5D. Our results confirm that FFP lead to a significant, long-lasting deterioration in ADL and HS, comparable with hip fractures.

Background Implant anchorage in highly osteoporotic bone is challenging, since it often leads to osteosynthesis failure in geriatric patients with supracondylar femoral fractures. Cementation of screws is presumed to prevent such osteosynthesis failure. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a newly designed, cementable fenestrated condylar screw for plate fixation in a biomechanical setting. Methods Eight pairs of osteoporotic cadaver femora with an average age of 77 years, ranging between 62 and 88 years, were randomly assigned to either an augmented or a non-augmented group. In both groups an instable 33-A3 fracture according to the AO / OTA classification was fixed with an angular stable locking plate. All right samples received a cement augmentation of their fenestrated condylar screws with calcium phosphate bone cement (CPC). Mechanical testing was performed at a load to failure mode by cyclic axial loading, using a servohydraulic testing machine. Results With a mean of 2475 N (95% CI: 1727–3223 N), the pressure forces resulting in osteosynthesis failure were significantly higher in specimen with cemented condylar screws as compared to non-cemented samples (1875 N (95% CI: 1320–2430 N)) ( p = 0.024). In both groups the deformation of the constructs, with the distal screws cutting through the condylar bone, were the most frequent cause for failure. Analysis of axial stiffness ( p = 0.889) and irreversible deformity of the specimens revealed no differences between the both groups ( p = 0.161). No cement leakage through the joint line or the medial cortex was observed. Conclusion Based on the present study results, the newly introduced, cementable condylar screw could be an encouraging feature for the fixation of supracondylar femoral fractures in patients with reduced bone quality in terms of load to failure accuracy of the cement application.

Für Alterstraumazentren, die sich nach dem Kriterienkatalog der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie (DGU) zu einem AltersTraumaZentrum DGU® zertifizieren lassen, dient die verpflichtende Teilnahme am AltersTraumaRegister DGU® (ATR-DGU) der Qualitätssicherung und Outcome-Analyse. Es erfasst pseudonymisiert die Daten aller behandelten Patienten mit hüftgelenknaher Fraktur über 70 Jahre und befindet sich seit Januar 2016 im Regelbetrieb. Fragestellung dieser Studie war die Beurteilung der Gehfähigkeit, Mortalität, Lebensqualität, Wiederaufnahmerate und Osteoporosetherapie nach 120 Tagen. Es erfolgte eine retrospektive Auswertung des, aktuell noch freiwilligen, 120-Tage-Follow-up des ATR-DGU aus dem Jahr 2017. Hierfür wurde die schriftliche Einwilligung zu Analyse und Publikation der Daten von 6 Kliniken, die das Follow-up bereits erheben, eingeholt. Primäre Zielparameter waren Mortalität, Wiederaufnahme- und Revisionsrate, Gehfähigkeit, Osteoporosetherapie und Lebensqualität, gemessen am EQ-5D-3L. Die Patientendaten waren vollständig pseudonymisiert. Es erfolgte eine deskriptive Analyse der Daten. Aus den 6 Kliniken wurden 957 Patienten eingeschlossen. Das durchschnittliche Alter betrug 84,5 Jahre (±6,8 Jahre). Die Mortalität während der Akutbehandlung betrug 5 %. Von 412 Patienten konnte das 120-Tage-Follow-up ausgewertet werden. 10 % der Patienten mussten nochmals wegen derselben Fraktur aufgenommen werden, 6 % mussten reoperiert werden. Die Mortalitätsrate nach 120 Tagen lag bei 12 %. Bei 54 % der Patienten führte die Fraktur zu einer Verschlechterung der Mobilität. 49 % erhielten nach 120 Tagen eine Osteoporosetherapie. Der EQ-5D-3L zeigte nach 120 Tagen eine Verbesserung, bezogen auf den Wert 7 Tage postoperativ. Der präoperative Status der Mobilität und Lebensqualität konnte allerdings nicht wieder erreicht werden. Trotz evidentem Vorteil der interdisziplinären Behandlung sind die Behandlungsergebnisse hinsichtlich Mobilisation und Lebensqualität eingeschränkt. Weitere Analysen für die Ursachen und Einflussfaktoren müssen noch folgen.

AimDue to demographic change, the number of geriatric patients is still rising. Although hip fractures are the subject of current research, little is known about the remaining geriatric trauma entities. The aim of this study was to collect data of the age‐related traumatological intensive care unit (ICU) population, its underlying diagnosis, and the influence on mortality and length of stay in the ICU.MethodsGeriatric trauma patients (aged ≥65 years) treated postoperatively in our surgical ICU were included in this retrospective observational study covering the period 2013–2017. In addition to the underlying fracture entities, patient characteristics, such as age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, length of stay and mortality, were collected to identify possible independent predictive factors for mortality in the ICU using multivariate analysis.ResultsDuring the observation period, 805 (60.5%) patients met the inclusion criteria. 47.6% of the patients suffered from a proximal femoral fracture. The total mortality rate during the stay in the ICU was 7.5%. Significant predictive factors for mortality in the ICU were Charlson Comorbidity Index (P < 0.001) and length of stay (P < 0.001). The different fracture types themselves were not a significant risk factor for mortality (P = 0.862).ConclusionPatients with proximal femoral fractures account for approximately half of the patients in intensive care. The mortality rate of these patients is no higher than that in geriatric trauma patients with other fractures. The progression is essentially influenced by the patient's comorbidities. Nowadays, the focus shifts from trauma care to the therapy of concomitant diseases. Nevertheless, this cohort, when adequately treated, shows a comparatively low mortality rate. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 1120–1125.

BackgroundClinical outcomes of patients with proximal femoral fracture within 1 year after hospitalization are presented. In particular, associations between the patients' clinical status and their pre‐fracture residence were evaluated (community‐dwelling vs nursing home).MethodsPatients aged ≥60 years with proximal femoral fractures were included in a prospective, single‐centre observational study and followed for 12 months. Patients' clinical status at baseline was compared to their health status at follow‐up 12 months later. Several standardized questionnaires were used to evaluate the patients' functional and cognitive capacity (e.g. Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, Barthel Index, and Mini‐Mental State Examination), mobility (timed up‐and‐go test, Tinetti Test, and Harris Hip Score), quality of life (EuroQol‐5 Dimensions index and EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale), and psychological status (Geriatric Depression Scale).ResultsThis study included 402 patients (mean age: 81.3 ± 8.2 years, 72% women). Patients stayed in hospital for 13.7 ± 6.1 days on average. The comparison of patients' clinical status at baseline and at 12‐month follow‐up revealed that the Mini‐Mental State Examination and Charlson Comorbidity Index remained unchanged (P = 0.527 and P = 0.705), the level of depression (Geriatric Depression Scale) significantly decreased (P < 0.001), and quality of life (EuroQol‐5 Dimensions index) diminished (P < 0.001). Although patients' mobility increased after 12 months (P < 0.001 for timed up‐and‐go test and Harris Hip Score), their functional capacity was significantly reduced (P < 0.001 for Barthel Index and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale). Nursing home residents showed a significantly higher impairment at baseline than community‐dwelling individuals and less improvement in functional and cognitive tests at 12‐month follow‐up.ConclusionsClinical outcomes after hip fracture are significantly associated with patients' pre‐fracture residence status. Place of residence as well as functional and cognitive status on admission may lead to differences in functional recovery and affect therapeutic and rehabilitative decision‐making.

Patients suffering from complications during inpatient treatment after hip fracture surgery are associated with a worse mid-term outcome. While surgically treatable complications only delay the healing process, internal complications seem to worsen the outcome in the long run. All complications come with significant increased costs during the hospital stay. Due to the demographic changes, the importance of hip fractures is still increasing nowadays. Not only surgical but also medical complications represent a major challenge in the treatment of those patients. Nevertheless, only few is known about the functional, medical, and economic consequences of complications. A total of 402 hip fracture patients ≥ 60 years were observed prospectively at a German university hospital. Complications were assessed during the inpatient stay and classified by Clavien and Dindo. Afterwards their influence on acute care costs was examined as well as their influence on the mortality, health-related quality of life (HRQL) (EQ5D), functional capacities (Barthel index), and mobility (Tinetti score) in the follow-up periods of 6 and 12 months. Complications that required surgical revision/treatment (type III) were associated with an increased 6 months’ mortality, while type II and IV complications did not influence mortality after 6 and 12 months. Six months after surgery, HRQL, Barthel score, and Tinetti score were reduced in patients suffering from all different types of complications. After 12 months however, HRQL, Barthel score, and Tinetti score following type II and IV complications remained reduced, while the scores improved in patients suffering from type III complication. All types of complications led to significantly increased acute care costs. The results of the present study emphasize the crucial role of perioperative complications in older patients with hip fractures. Therefore, special attention has to be given to the prevention of those complications, e.g., with orthogeriatric treatment models, which have been shown to be effective in the reduction of complications.