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Epidemiology study: Younger patients had an increase in ulnar collateral ligament reconstructions
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Recently published results showed an increase in the number of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction procedures performed between 2003 and 2014, especially among patients aged 15 years to 19 years, and the rate among this group was projected to increase to 2025.
Researchers queried New York State’s Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database from 2003 to 2014 and identified 890 patients (of which 95% were male) between 10 years and 40 years of age who underwent ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction. To develop future projections for UCL reconstruction and New York State population through 2025, researchers used Poisson regression.
Results showed 56.6% of patients who underwent UCL reconstruction procedures were 15 years to 19 years old and 31.9% of patients were 20 years to 24 years old. Researchers found an increase in the total number of UCL reconstructions of 343% from 2003 to 2014, with an average increase in procedures of 18.5% per year. According to Cochran-Armitage trend analysis, there was a significant increase in the percentage of patients younger than 18 years who underwent surgery during the period studied.
Between 2003 and 2014, the 15-year to 19-year subgroup had an average annual incidence per 100,000 of approximately 6.3, while the 20-year to 24-year subgroup had an average annual incidence per 100,000 of approximately 3.5, according to results. Researchers noted the disproportionate increase in incidence according to age subgroup is projected to persist for 2015 through 2025, with a projected average annual incidence per 100,000 for patients aged 15 years to 19 years of approximately 14.6 and a projected average annual incidence per 100,000 for patients 20 years to 24 years of age was approximately seven. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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