Today’s Top Story
Study: Global risk of osteoporotic fracture projected to double by 2040.
Data published in the September issue of the journal Osteoporosis International project that the worldwide number of individuals aged 50 years or older who are at high risk of osteoporotic fracture may double between 2010 and 2040. The researchers used the FRAX algorithm to estimate global burden of disease using the risk threshold of 10-year probability of a major fracture equivalent to that of a woman with a body mass index of 24 kg/m2, a prior fragility fracture, and no other clinical risk factors. Among their findings:
- In 2010, at total of 158 million people had a fracture probability at or above the high-risk threshold.
- The number of individuals at high risk of fracture is projected to increase to approximately 319 million in 2040.
- Asia is expected to see the highest proportion of global fracture risk burden, with 73 million women and 11 million men at high risk.
- Currently, 18.2 percent of women and 3.1 percent of men are estimated to have a fracture probability above the fracture threshold.
Other News
Study: Hip fracture surgery linked to increased risks compared to elective THA.
According to a study conducted in France and published in the Sept. 15 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, even when hip fracture patients and elective total hip arthroplasty patients (THA) are matched for age, sex, and preoperative comorbidities, hip fracture surgery patients have an higher risk of mortality and major complications. The authors reviewed data on 690,995 patients from the French National Hospital Discharge Database. They found that patients undergoing elective THA tended to be younger, more commonly male, and had less comorbidity compared to patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture. Based on a multivariable, matched population analysis of 234,314 patients, the authors found that, compared to THA patients, those undergoing hip fracture surgery saw a 1.51 percent increase in absolute risk for mortality and a 3.54 percent increase in absolute risk for major postoperative complication. Read more…
Read the abstract…
Study: MRSA may decrease in hospitals, but remains stable in community.
Data from a study published online in the journal Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology suggest that incidence of the most common strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections may have decreased in hospitals, but has failed to similarly decline in the broader community. The research team conducted a retrospective, observational study with molecular analysis at a single center, and found 1,015 cases of S. aureus bloodstream infection (BSI) from Jan. 1, 2007, through Dec. 31, 2013, with 36 percent of cases linked to MRSA. Over the study period, they found that the incidence of hospital-onset MRSA BSIs decreased, while community-onset MRSA BSIs remained stable. After multivariate analysis, the research team also noted that current or former drug use was the only epidemiologic risk factor for community-onset or hospital-onset MRSA BSIs due to the most common (USA300) strains. Read more…
Read the abstract…
Study: Growth in health spending expected to outpace both economy and aging population.
Findings published online in the journal Health Affairs project that health spending in the United States may grow at a rate of 5.8 percent per year between 2014 and 2024—faster than projected growth in the economy and the aging population. Overall, the authors project the health share of U.S. gross domestic product to rise from 17.4 percent in 2013 to 19.6 percent in 2024. Analysts say that the growth largely reflects coverage expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Read the complete study…
Study: What factors are linked to surgical treatment for lateral epicondylitis?
A study published in the September issue of The American Journal of Sports Medicine identifies factors associated with failure of nonsurgical treatment for lateral epicondylitis. The authors conducted a case control study of 580 patients treated for lateral epicondylitis at a single center and found that 92 (16 percent) underwent surgical treatment at a mean of 6 months after presentation. A univariate analysis suggested potential association between surgical management and the following factors at initial diagnosis: increased age, body mass index, duration of symptoms, presence of radial tunnel syndrome, prior injection, physical therapy, splinting, smoking, workers’ compensation, labor occupation, use of narcotics, use of antidepressant medications, and previous orthopaedic surgery. In a multivariate analysis, workers’ compensation claim, prior injection, radial tunnel syndrome, previous orthopaedic surgery, and duration of symptoms longer than 12 months remained significant independent predictors of surgical treatment. Read the abstract…
President names new FDA commissioner.
The Washington Post reports that President Obama has nominated Robert M. Califf, MD, to be the next commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Dr. Califf will replace Stephen Ostroff, MD, who had been serving as acting FDA commissioner. Dr. Califf is a cardiologist, and has served as vice chancellor for clinical research at Duke University Medical Center. Read more…
Florida.
According to Modern Healthcare, a taxing district that operates hospitals in Broward County, Fla., will pay the government a record $69.5 million to settle allegations that it illegally paid for referrals to nine physicians. At issue was a case in which an orthopaedic surgeon accused the hospital district of violating the Stark Law by paying employed physicians based, in part, on their referrals to the system’s hospitals and clinics. That action allegedly led to the submission of false claims to the government, in violation of the False Claims Act. In settling the suit, the hospital district admitted no wrongdoing. Read more…(registration may be required)
Call for volunteers: Political Action Committee of the AAOS.
The Political Action Committee (PAC) of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is seeking a treasurer. Applicants for this position must be active fellows and U.S. citizens. Ideal candidates should possess specific knowledge of the many research and health policy positions of AAOS, as well as a record and experience with interaction with federal officials. In addition, the AAOS PAC treasurer must have no conflicts-of-interest or leadership role in any other state medical society or state orthopaedic society PAC. Under the rules and procedures of AAOS Committee on Committees, one can serve on the PAC Executive Committee, in addition to service on another committee within the AAOS structure. Applications must be submitted by Oct. 1. Learn more and submit your application…(member login required)
