Prevalence and risk factors for traumatic long-bone pseudarthrosis at the Matanda Hospital, Butembo, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

Pseudarthrosis is a dreadful condition because it is very difficult to treat even for the orthopedic surgeons. The best thing to do is always to prevent it. The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for traumatic long-bone pseudarthrosis in the city of Butembo. We conducted a retrospective study of 36 patients with traumatic pseudarthrosis. Data were collected from the hospital records of 968 patients with long-bone fractures at the Matanda Hospital, in the town of Butembo, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo from 01/06/2016 to 31/05/2019. We calculated the rate of pseudarthrosis and used a single- and multiple logistic regression model to investigate factors associated with pseudarthrosis. The rate of pseudarthrosis was 3.72%. The most common type of pseudarthrosis included floating injuries (69.44%). Risk factors were: Working as a rickshaw driver (aOR: 4.60; aCI 95% 1.04-15.21; p = 0.023) and a cultivator (aOR: 2.31; aCI 95% 1.17-4.68; p = 0.008), malnutrition (aOR: 5.83; aCI 95% 1.87-15.62; p = 0.004), tobacco poisoning (aOR: 6.70; aCI 95% 1.84-20.11; p = 0.003) and tobacco+ alchool consumption (aOR: 4.74; aCI 95% 2.17-9.89; p < 0.001); gunshot injuries (aOR: 6.70; aCI 95% 1.84-20.11; p = 0.003), open fractures (aOR: 4.35; aCI 95% 2.17-9.12; p < 0.001), fracture site infections (aOR: 3.10; aCI 95% 1.03-7.95; p = 0.023); traditional healer (aOR: 12.18; aCI 95%: 5.74-25.37; p < 0.001), general practitioner (aOR: 8.33; aCI 95% 1.77-30.31; p = 0.006) initial absence X-ray assessment (aOR: 12.21; aCI 95% 5.92-24.96; p < 0.001). Long bone pseudarthroses are common in Butembo. The most effective way to prevent them is to know and avoid risk factors.