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Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery

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01-10-2017 | Orthopaedic Surgery

Racial disparities in outcomes of operatively treated lower extremity fractures

Authors: Adam Driesman, Nina Fisher, Sanjit R. Konda, Christian A. Pean, Philipp Leucht, Kenneth A. Egol

Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery | Issue 10/2017

Abstract

Purpose

Whether racial differences are associated with function in the long term following surgical repair of lower extremity fractures has not been investigated. The purpose of this study is to compare how race affects function at 3, 6 and 12 months post-surgery following certain lower extremity fractures.

Methods

Four hundred and eighteen patients treated operatively for a lower extremity fracture (199 tibial plateau, 39 tibial shaft, and 180 rotational ankle fractures) were prospectively followed for 1 year. Race was stratified into four groups: Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic origin, and other. Long-term outcomes were evaluated using the short musculoskeletal function assessment (SMFA) and pain scores were assessed at 3, 6 months and 1 year.

Results

There were 223 (53.3%) Caucasians, 72 (17.2%) African-Americans, 53 (12.4%) Hispanics, and 71 (17.0%) patients from other ethnic groups, included in our study population. Minority patients (African-American, Hispanics, etc.) were more likely to be involved in high velocity mechanisms of injury and tended to have a greater percentage of open fractures. Although there were no differences in the rate of wound complications or reoperations, long-term functional outcomes were worse in minority patients as assessed by pain scores at 6 months and functional outcome scores at 3, 6 and 12 months. Multivariate analysis revealed that only African-American and Hispanic race continued to be independent predictors of worse functional outcomes at 12 months.

Conclusions

Racial minorities and those on medicaid had poorer long-term function following fractures of the lower extremity. While minority patients were involved in more high velocity accidents, this was not an independent predictor of worse outcomes. These disparities may result from multifactorial socioeconomic factors, including socioeconomic status and education levels that were not controlled in our study.

Level of evidence

Prognostic Level III.

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Title: Racial disparities in outcomes of operatively treated lower extremity fractures
Authors: Adam Driesman
Nina Fisher
Sanjit R. Konda
Christian A. Pean
Philipp Leucht
Kenneth A. Egol
Publication date: 01-10-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery / Issue 10/2017
Print ISSN: 0936-8051
Electronic ISSN: 1434-3916
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-017-2766-z

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Racial disparities in outcomes of operatively treated lower extremity fractures

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Level of evidence

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Level of evidence

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