title: Type II odontoid fractures of the cervical spine: do treatment type and medical comorbidities affect mortality in elderly patients?
abstract: METHODS
  Retrospective cohort study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the influence of age, comorbidities, and treatment type on mortality in elderly patients with acute Type II odontoid fractures.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Prior studies have documented increased morbidity and mortality among geriatric patients sustaining odontoid fractures. However, there is limited data regarding the effect of patient age, medical comorbidities, and treatment selection on mortality after Type II odontoid (C2) fractures in the elderly.
  
  
  METHODS
  An institutional registry was used to identify all Type II odontoid fractures sustained by patients aged 65 and older from 1991 to 2006. Demographic information, date of injury, associated injuries, treatment type, and comorbidities were abstracted from medical records. Mortality was ascertained using the National Death Index. Risks of mortality and their associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated at 3 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression was used to evaluate independent factors affecting mortality stratified by age (65-74 years, 75-84 years, ≥ 85 years) and treatment type (operative or nonoperative treatment, and halo or collar immobilization).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 156 patients identified with Type II odontoid fracture, the average age was 82 years (SD = 7.8; Range: 65-101). One hundred and twelve patients (72%) were treated nonoperatively. At 3 years postinjury, there was a 39% (95% CI: 32-47) mortality rate for the entire cohort. Mortality for the operative group was 11% (95% CI: 2-21) at 3 months and 21% (95% CI: 9-32) at 1 year compared with 25% (95% CI: 17-33) at 3 months and 36% (95% CI: 27-45) at 1 year in the nonoperative group. The Cox regression model showed that the protective effect of surgery was seen in patients aged 65 to 74 years, in whom the hazard ratio associated with surgery for mortality after odontoid fracture was 0.4 (95% CI: 0.1-1.5). Those aged 75 to 84 years had a hazard ratio of 0.8 (95% CI: 0.3-2.3), and patients 85 years or older had a hazard ratio of 1.9 (95% CI: 0.6-6.1; P value for interaction between age and treatment = 0.09) with operative treatment having a protective effect in patients aged 65 to 74 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a cohort of elderly patients, Type II odontoid fractures were associated with a high rate of mortality, regardless of intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Schoenfeld
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bono
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Reichmann
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Warholic
authors.forename: Kirkham B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Losina
authors.forename: Jeffrey N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Mitchel B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality* / Q000639:trends; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality* / Q000639:trends; D009989:Orthotic Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011859:Radiography; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome