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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 12/2020

01-12-2020 | Achilles Tendon Rupture | ANKLE

Outcome after acute Achilles tendon rupture is not negatively affected by female sex and age over 65 years

Authors: Allan Cramer, Nanna Cecilie Jacobsen, Maria Swennergren Hansen, Håkon Sandholdt, Per Hölmich, Kristoffer Weisskirchner Barfod

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 12/2020

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Abstract

Purpose

Studies suggest that women have worse treatment outcome than men after acute Achilles tendon rupture (ATR). The aim of this study was to investigate if sex and age affect treatment outcome after ATR.

Methods

The study was performed as a registry study in the Danish Achilles tendon Database. The primary outcome was change in the Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) from baseline to 4 months, 1 year and 2 years follow-up. Variables of interest were sex and age group (< 40 years, 40–65 years and > 65 years).

Results

Data were collected from April 2012 to March 2018. Five-hundred and sixteen patients (416 men, 100 women) were included in the study population. At baseline, women scored 4.3 points lower in ATRS compared to men. No statistically significant difference between the sexes regarding change in ATRS were found. Women scored statistically significantly less in absolute ATRS at 1 year follow-up (mean difference 9.4; 95% CI 3.8, 14.9; P = 0.03). Patients older than 65 years scored statistically significantly more in ATRS change compared to patients between 40–65 years (mean difference 12.8; 95% CI 6.1–19.5; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study did not show a statistically significant or clinically relevant difference between the sexes in ATRS change from baseline to follow-up. The mean difference in ATRS change between patients older than 65 years and patients between 40–65 years was clinically relevant with better outcome for patients older than 65 years. When comparing ATRS between groups with an unequal sex distribution, the findings of a baseline difference and a difference in absolute ATRS at 1 year follow-up between the sexes, advocate for reporting of sex-specific data or for use of change in ATRS from baseline to follow-up instead of absolute ATRS.

Level of evidence

Level III.
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Metadata
Title
Outcome after acute Achilles tendon rupture is not negatively affected by female sex and age over 65 years
Authors
Allan Cramer
Nanna Cecilie Jacobsen
Maria Swennergren Hansen
Håkon Sandholdt
Per Hölmich
Kristoffer Weisskirchner Barfod
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 12/2020
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-020-06003-7

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