Karl-Åke Jansson

Health-related quality of life (EQ-5D) before and one year after surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis

We investigated the pre-operative and one-year post-operative health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcome by using a Euroqol (EQ-5D) questionnaire in 230 patients who underwent surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis. Data were obtained from the National Swedish Registry for operations on the lumbar spine between 2001 and 2002. We analysed the pre- and postoperative quality of life data, age, gender, smoking habits, pain and walking ability. The relative differences were compared to a Swedish EQ-5D population survey. The mean age of the patients was 66 years, and there were 123 females (53%). Before the operation 62 (27%) of the patients could walk more than 500 m. One year after the operation 150 (65%) were able to walk 500 m or more. The mean EQ-5D score improved from 0.36 to 0.64, and the HRQoL improved in 184 (80%) of the patients. However, they did not reach the level reported by a matched population sample (mean difference 0.18). Women had lower pre- and post-operative EQ-5D scores than men. Severe low back pain was a predictor for a poor outcome.

Prediction of persistent pain after total knee replacement for osteoarthritis

We suggest that different mechanisms underlie joint pain at rest and on movement in osteoarthritis and that separate assessment of these two features with a visual analogue scale (VAS) offers better information about the likely effect of a total knee replacement (TKR) on pain. The risk of persistent pain after TKR may relate to the degree of central sensitisation before surgery, which might be assessed by determining the pain threshold to an electrical stimulus created by a special tool, the Pain Matcher. Assessments were performed in 69 patients scheduled for TKR. At 18 months after operation, separate assessment of pain at rest and with movement was again carried out using a VAS in order to enable comparison of pre- and post-operative measurements. A less favourable outcome in terms of pain relief was observed for patients with a high pre-operative VAS score for pain at rest and a low pain threshold, both features which may reflect a central sensitisation mechanism.

Health-related quality of life in patients before and after surgery for a herniated lumbar disc

We investigated the pre-operative and one-year post-operative health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcome by using a Euroqol (EQ-5D) questionnaire in 263 patients who had undergone surgery for herniation of a lumbar disc. Data from the National Swedish Register for lumbar spinal surgery between 2001 and 2002 were used and, in addition, a comparison between our cohort and a Swedish EQ-5D population survey was performed. We analysed the pre- and post-operative quality of life data, age, gender, smoking habits, pain and walking capacity. The mean age of the patients was 42 years (20 to 66); 155 (59%) were men and 69 (26%) smoked. Pre-operatively, 72 (17%) could walk at least 1 km compared with 200 (76%) postoperatively. The mean EQ-5D score improved from 0.29 to 0.70, and the HRQOL improved in 195 (74%) of the patients. The pre-operative score did not influence the post-operative score. In most patients, all five EQ-5D dimensions improved, but did not reach the level reported by an age- and gender-matched population sample (mean difference 0.17). Predictors for poor outcome were smoking, a short pre-operative walking distance, and a long history of back pain.

Health-related quality of life (EQ-5D) before and after orthopedic surgery

Background and purpose Population data on mortality and life expectancy are generally available for most countries. However, no longitudinal data based on the health-related quality of life outcome from the EQ-5D instrument have been reported for orthopedic patients. We assessed the effect of orthopedic surgery as measured by EQ-5D. Methods We analyzed EQ-5D data from 2,444 patients who were operated at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Karolinska University Hospital, 2001–2005. We also made a comparison between results from this cohort and those from a Swedish EQ-5D population survey. Results The mean EQ-5D index score improved from 0.54 to 0.72. Hip and knee arthroplasty, operations related to previous surgery, trauma-related procedures, and rheumatoid arthritis surgeries had preoperative EQ-5D index scores of 0.48 to 0.52. All of these groups showed substantial improvement in scores (0.63 to 0.80). Patients with tumors or diseases of the elbow/hand showed higher preoperative scores (0.66 to 0.77), which were similar postoperatively. In most patients, the EQ-5D index score improved but did not reach the level reported for an age- and sex-matched population sample (mean difference = 0.11). Interpretation Our results can be used as part of the preoperative patient information to increase the level of patient awareness and cooperation, and to facilitate rehabilitation. In future it will be possible—but not easy—to use the EQ-5D instrument as a complementary consideration in clinical priority assessment.

National data of 6409 Swedish inpatients with femoral shaft fractures: Stable incidence between 1998 and 2004

INTRODUCTION Femoral shaft fractures are commonly thought to be primarily associated with high-energy trauma in young persons. Only limited attention has been given to low-energy violence as a cause of these fractures among the elderly. National epidemiological data on characteristics of patients with femoral shaft fractures are lacking, so the purpose of this study was to analyse the incidence, admissions, causes of fracture and operations for these fractures on a nationwide basis in Sweden during 1998-2004. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data on all femoral shaft fractures were extracted from the Swedish National Hospital Discharge Registry. Sex- and age-specific fracture incidence, hospital admissions, mechanisms of injury and surgical procedures were analysed using descriptive analysis, linear-regression analysis and other methods as appropriate. RESULTS Over a period of 7 years, 6409 patients with femoral shaft fractures were identified, corresponding to an annual incidence of 10 per 100,000 person-years. Men had a younger median age (27 years, IQR 12-68) than women (79 years, IQR 62-86) (p<0.001). Females (54%) generated more admissions than males (46%). The incident rate ratio between men and women was 0.9 (p<0.001). Most hospital admissions were generated among females by the 80-89 years age-group and among males <10 years of age. 2% of the fractures were open fractures. The total number of hospital admissions was stable during 1998-2004. The two major mechanisms of injury were falls on the same level (50%) and transport accidents (17%). A significant number of fractures occurred among elderly patients after low-energy trauma. Osteosynthesis with femoral nail (54%) was the preferred operation, followed by osteosynthesis with plate and screws (16%), skeletal traction (14%) and external fixation (6%). DISCUSSION This nationwide study on femoral shaft fractures provides an update on incidence, admissions, external causes and surgical procedures. This information assists health-care providers in planning hospital beds, surgical interventions and risk preventions. Moreover, these data can be used for power calculations for further clinical studies.

Epidemiology of adult ankle fractures in Sweden between 1987 and 2004: A population-based study of 91,410 Swedish inpatients

Background and purpose Previous national epidemiological data on the characteristics and trends of patients with ankle fractures have been limited. We therefore analyzed data on Swedish inpatients with ankle fractures in this nationwide population study, based on data from 1987 through 2004. Patients and methods Data on all inpatients aged 15 years and older with ankle fracture were extracted from the Swedish National Patient Register for the period 1987–2004. Results We identified 91,410 hospital admissions with ankle fracture, corresponding to an annual incidence rate of 71 per 105 person-years. During the study period, the number of hospital admissions increased by 0.2% annually, mainly from increase in fracture incidence in the elderly women. Mean age at admission was 45 (SD 19) years for men and 58 (18) for women. The major mechanism of injury was falling at the same level (64%). Interpretation This nationwide study of inpatients with ankle fractures showed an increase in fracture incidence, particularly in elderly women.

Decreasing incidence of tibial shaft fractures between 1998 and 2004 : information based on 10,627 Swedish inpatients

Background and purpose There is a lack of national epidemiological data on the characteristics of patients with tibial shaft fractures. We therefore analyzed data on Swedish patients with tibial shaft fractures in this nationwide population study based on data from 1998 through 2004. Methods Data on all patients with tibial shaft fractures were extracted from the Swedish National Hospital Discharge Register. Results We identified 10,627 hospital admissions for tibial shaft fractures, corresponding to an annual incidence rate of 17 per 100,000 person‐years (pyr). The number of hospital admissions decreased by 12% during the period 1998–2004, mostly from a reduction in male incidence. The median (SD) age at admission was 28 (22) years for men and 51 (26) years for women. The two major mechanisms of injury were falls on the same level (48%) and transport accidents (21%). Surgical procedures were dominated by osteosynthesis with nail (48%), followed by closed reduction and plaster cast (27%), and external fixation (12%). 12% of all tibial shaft fractures were classified as open, corresponding to an incidence rate of 2.3 per 100,000 pyr, which declined during 1998–2004. Interpretation This nationwide study of tibial shaft fractures shows a falling off of fracture incidence, a finding that can be used to advantage by healthcare providers.

The addition of tramadol to morphine via patient-controlled analgesia does not lead to better post-operative pain relief after total knee arthroplasty

Background:  Tramadol is used as an analgesic in post‐operative pain treatment. Intravenous tramadol is often combined with morphine to achieve better pain relief and less side‐effects after orthopaedic surgery. However, the available evidence is insufficient to support this combination. For this reason, we conducted the present non‐commercial, randomized, double‐blind clinical trial.

Hyperbaric Oxygen in Lower Limb Trauma (HOLLT); protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction Open fractures with significant soft tissue injury are associated with high rates of complications, such as non-union, infection, chronic pain and disability. Complications often require further inpatient care, and in many cases, multiple operations and prolonged rehabilitation. Use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjunct to standard orthopaedic trauma care has the potential to reduce the complications of musculoskeletal injury and thus improve outcomes. Two previous randomised trials have suggested some positive effect, but neither functional measures nor long-term outcomes were reported. Methods and analysis An international, multicentre, randomised, open-label, clinical trial. Patients with trauma with an acute open fracture of the tibia with severe soft tissue injury (Gustilo grade 3) and high risk of injury-related complications were recruited from participating major trauma hospitals with hyperbaric facilities. Patients were enrolled with the expectation of commencing 12 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy within 48 h of injury. The primary outcome measure is the incidence of acute complications of the open fracture wound at 14 days. Other short-term outcome measures include amputation, need for fasciotomy, time until wound closure, breakdown of closed wounds, time until definitive orthopaedic fixation, number of operative procedures, intensive care stay and hospital stay. Long-term follow-up will continue for 2 years postinjury. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval was given by The Alfred Health Human Ethics Committee (206/04) and the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (CF07/4208). Approval was also obtained from the institutional research ethics committee at each participating site. This study will make a significant contribution to the trauma literature and should answer the question of whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy can significantly improve outcomes in severe lower limb trauma. Collective study results will be published in international journals and presented at relevant conferences. Trial registration number Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00264511; Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12607000559415.

Long-term pattern of opioid prescriptions after femoral shaft fractures

The use of opioids in non‐cancer‐related pain following skeletal trauma is controversial due to the presumed risk of dose escalation and dependence. We therefore examined the pattern of opioid prescriptions, that is, those actually dispensed, in patients with femoral shaft fractures.