title: The impact of demographic factors and comorbidities on distal radius fracture outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the prevalence and consequences of distal radius fracture (DRF), there is limited research that analyzes the effects of demographic factors and comorbidities as they relate to pain, perceived disability, and functional outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  All data for this study were examined retrospectively within an established clinical database. Patients with DRF were evaluated during their first and final visits with a criterion-based numeric pain scale (CR12), the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, and a global rate of change scale to assess outcomes of pain, perceived disability, and function, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of days between injury and initial therapy evaluation were inversely correlated with changes in perceived pain and perceived disability (r = -0.315, p = 0.000; r = -0.348, p = 0.000). In addition, moderate and statistically significant correlations were noted between work status and average CR12 and DASH scores at final re-evaluation (r = 0.392, p = 0.000, r = 0.473, p = 0.000). No significant relationships were noted between additional demographic factors or comorbidities and pain, perceived disability, or function during statistical analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients without diabetes, hypertension, or depression and those who were not smokers had better outcomes in terms of pain, perceived disability, and function in this study. In addition, earlier timing of initial evaluation after injury and full duty work status were significantly related to improvement in pain and perceived disability. Timing of initiation of therapy and return to work are suggested as avenues for future research.
authors.affiliation: Jefferson College, 1000 Viking Dr, Hillsboro, MO 63050 USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Concordia University Wisconsin, 12800 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI 53097 USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: von der Heyde
authors.affiliation: Maryville University, 650 Maryville University Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141 USA.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sparks
authors.affiliation: Maryville University, 650 Maryville University Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141 USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hammerschmidt
authors.affiliation: Maryville University, 650 Maryville University Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141 USA.
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pleimann
authors.affiliation: Maryville University, 650 Maryville University Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141 USA.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ranz
authors.affiliation: Maryville University, 650 Maryville University Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141 USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rector
authors.affiliation: Maryville University, 650 Maryville University Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141 USA.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sniezak
keywords: Comorbidities; Demographic factors; Distal radius fracture; Outcomes