Hip Fractures and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Scientific Study Title:

Hip fracture In patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: incidence, complications and health services used. (HIRA Study)

Study Start Date:

July 2016 

End Date:

2018

Why Do This Research:

Hip fractures typically occur with a simple fall in the presence of osteoporosis and is regarded as the most serious fall-injury. One-year mortality after a hip fracture is up to 37%. Of those who survive, approximately 75% do not regain their pre-fracture functional status. Although persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at risk for breaking their hips, few studies have specifically looked at whether the burden of hip fracture is greater in patients with RA than patients with hip fractures from the general population. Using data from the BC government, we have a unique opportunity to examine hip fracture in a BC population-based group with RA. The specific objectives are to 1) estimate the number of hip fracture and the mortality rate in RA 2) compare these rates to a control group from the general population matched on age and sex 3) identify factors that predict the health services used and survival of RA patients after hip fractures.

What Will Be Done:

Using administrative data, we have enough numbers to complete these analyses whereas our earlier studies could not look at the burden of hip fracture specifically in RA patients. If the burden of hip fracture differs between RA and the general population, we will want to look at early medical, surgical and rehabilitation interventions that specifically target RA patients recovering after hip fracture.

Research Team

Principal Investigator:

Allyson Jones, PT, PhD, Affiliate Scientist, Rehabilitation Sciences, Arthritis Research Canada, (University of Alberta)

Co-Investigators:

Diane Lacaille, MDCM, MHSc, FRCPC, Scientific Director, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

Pierre Guy, MD CM, Associate Professor, Orthopaedics, Dept Medicine, (University of British Columbia)

Hui Xie, BSc, MS, PhD, Research Scientist, Biostatistics, Arthritis Research Canada (Simon Fraser University)

Funding Agency:

Canadian Initiative for Outcomes in Rheumatology Care (CIORA)