A correlation analysis of short-term imaging manifestations and long-term function using ROC curve after tibial fracture surgery

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the correlation between short-term imaging techniques and long-term function using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve after tibia fracture surgery.

Methods: Seventy patients with tibia fracture admitted to our hospital were selected as the study subjects, and were divided into a < 60 years old group (n = 40) and a ≥ 60 years old group (n = 30), a removed internal fixation group (n = 26) and a retained internal fixation group (n = 44). The short-term imaging results, long-term function, the degree of pain, the range of ankle joint motion, and the subjective satisfaction of patient care were scored and compared among the four groups. The influencing factors of subjective satisfaction of patients were analyzed using logistic regression analysis.

Results: There were marked differences in the scores of Jakim, Garland & Werley scoring system, and Kofoed's scale and subjective satisfaction between the < 60 years old group and the ≥ 60 years old group, and between the removed internal fixation group and the retained internal fixation group (P < 0.05), but there was no remarkable difference in visual analog scale (VAS) scores (P > 0.05). Spearman's correlation analysis revealed a correlation between the short-term imaging manifestations and the long-term function in tibia fracture patients, and the correlation was remarkable in patients aged < 60 years without internal fixation (P < 0.05). Logistic correlation analysis showed that Kofoed's scale scores were significantly correlated with patients' subjective satisfaction (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: There is a correlation between early imaging and long-term function in tibia fracture patients, and the correlation was remarkable in patients aged < 60 years and without internal fixation. The range of joint motion and degree of pain are the primary influencing factors for evaluation of patients' subjective satisfaction.

Keywords: ROC curve; Tibial fractures; correlation analysis; long-term function; short-term imaging manifestations.

Figure 1

Differences in imaging resluts, long-term function and related indicators in tibial fracture patients with different ages. The scores of Jakim, Kofoed’s scale and subjective satisfaction of patients aged < 60 years were significantly higher than those of patients aged ≥ 60 years (P < 0.05), while Garland & Werley scores of patients aged < 60 years were remarkably lower than those of patients aged ≥ 60 years (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups (P > 0.05). # indicates a statistically significant difference in the same indices between the two groups before and after surgery.

Figure 2

Differences in imaging results, long-term function and related indicators in tibial fracture patients treated with different internal fixation methods. The scores of Jakim and Kofoed’s scale and subjective satisfaction of patients without internal fixation were noticeably higher than those of patients with internal fixation (P < 0.05), while Garland & Werley scores of patients without internal fixation were significantly lower than those of patients with internal fixation (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups (P > 0.05). # indicates a statistically significant difference in the same indices between the two groups before and after surgery.

Figure 3

Analysis of influences of age and internal fixation status on the correlation between short-term imaging manifestations and long-term function. The AUC of ROC of patients aged < 60 years was 0.7711 (95% CI: 0.5925-0.9497, P < 0.05) (A), while that of patients without internal fixation was 0.7489 (95% CI: 0.5690-0.9287, P < 0.05) (B).