title: Effect of Obesity on Bone Healing After Foot and Ankle Long Bone Fractures.
abstract: As obesity has become more common, fractures in the obese population have become more frequent. Concern exists regarding alterations in bone health and healing in obese patients. A matched case-control study was performed at 1 institution to evaluate whether an association exists between nonunion and a high body mass index in metatarsal and ankle fractures. A total of 48 patients with nonunion were identified, and control patients matched 2 to 1 (n = 96) were selected. The control patients were matched for age, sex, and fracture type. No association was identified between nonunion and the continuous body mass index (p = .23) or morbid obesity, with a body mass index of ≥40 kg/m2(p = .51). However, the results from both univariate and multivariate analysis suggested that patients with a current alcohol problem or a history of an alcohol problem might have a greater risk of nonunion. The odds ratio of a patient with a history of alcohol use experiencing nonunion was 2.7 (95% confidence interval 1.2 to 6.2). Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
authors.affiliation: Podiatrist, Central Texas Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Temple, TX; Podiatrist, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX. Electronic address: jakethorud@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jakob C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Thorud
authors.affiliation: Resident, Central Texas Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Temple, TX; Resident, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX; Resident, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX.
authors.forename: Spencer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mortensen
authors.affiliation: Research Associate, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Thorud
authors.affiliation: Podiatrist, Central Texas Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Temple, TX; Podiatrist, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX; Professor, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX.
authors.forename: Naohiro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shibuya
authors.affiliation: Biostatistician, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX.
authors.forename: Yolanda Munoz
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Maldonado
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX.
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Jupiter
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D064386:Ankle Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000293:injuries; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: BMI; alcohol; body mass index; fracture healing; metatarsal fracture