HIV in Orthopaedic Skeletal Trauma Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Adult patients > 18 years with fresh (within 2 weeks of injury), closed and open, tibia and femur fractures who undergo IM nailing for fracture fixation will be eligible for the study. Participants will be recruited over 24 months. Participants will undergo a baseline questionnaire, HIV testing and assessment of their BMD. They will be followed up at 6 weeks, and 3, 6 and 12 months. All adult patients who develop delayed bone union at 6 month follow up will be considered cases. Adult patients who show evidence of radiological union at 6 months or less will be considered controls.

Detailed Description
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Primary research question Does Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) alter the fracture repair process? Aim To establish whether HIV is a risk factor for the development of delayed bone union or nonunion following a fracture. Study Setting Orthopaedic and Trauma Department, Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH), Cape Town, South Africa. Study design Case-cohort study of patients undergoing fracture surgery at GSH, Cape Town, South Africa. Study population Adult patients > 18 years with fresh (within 2 weeks of injury), closed and open, tibia and femur fractures who undergo intramedullary (IM) nailing for fracture fixation. Study summary Adult patients > 18 years with fresh (within 2 weeks of injury), closed and open, tibia and femur fractures who undergo intramedullary (IM) nailing for fracture fixation will be potentially eligible for inclusion in the study. Participants will undergo a baseline questionnaire, assessment of their HIV status and measurement of their bone mineral density (BMD) using a Dual Energy X-ray Absorbometry (DEXA) Heel Scanner. Participants will be followed up at 2 weeks, and 3, 6 and 12 months. X-rays will be performed at 3, 6 and 12 months. Bone healing will be assessed using a validated X-ray scoring system - the Radiological Union Scoring system for the Tibia (RUST scoring system).(19), (20) An independent observer blinded to HIV status will assess radiological fracture union. Participants will be recruited over 24 months. All adult patients treated at GSH with IM nailing of the tibia or femur and develop delayed bone union at 6 month follow up will be considered cases. Adult patients who show evidence of radiological union at 6 months or less will be considered controls.

Official Title
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HOST Study - HIV in Orthopaedic Skeletal Trauma Study; Fracture Healing in HIV-positive Patients

Conditions
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Fracture Healing in HIV-positive Patients

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: HIV positive patients


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion criteria; They are older than 18 years old Present to the GSH within 2 weeks of injury Sustained a closed or open fracture of tibia and femur fractures Undergo IM nailing for fracture fixation Exclusion Criteria: Major head injury Pre-surgical infection at the fracture site Open injury for >48 hours before the first debridement. Severe burns Pathological fracture There is evidence that the patient would be unable to adhere to study procedures, complete questionnaires or attend follow up.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Union<br>Radiological union on RUST score (figure 2) (score of 3 on at least 3 cortices in AP, lateral, medial or posterior cortex - total of 9 or more) within 6 months of surgery | Other: HIV positive patients<br>* As above<br>* Other names: No intervention, patients undergo standard surgery for their fracture management.;|
| Delayed union<br>Impaired bone healing at six months (RUST score < 9) | Other: HIV positive patients<br>* As above<br>* Other names: No intervention, patients undergo standard surgery for their fracture management.;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Delayed fracture healing | Incidence of delayed bone union in patients treated at GSH in HIV positive and negative patients | 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Nonunion | Incidence of nonunion in patients treated at GSH in HIV positive and negative patients | 12 months | 
| Infection | Incidence of superficial, deep and late wound infections in patients treated at GSH in HIV positive and negative patients | 12 months |