PATIENT REPORTED OUTCOMES AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AFTER ORIF OF DISTAL HUMERUS AT AaBET HOSPITAL: JANUARY 2019 TO 2025

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Distal humerus fractures are common injuries, accounting for a significant proportion of long bone fractures. Open reduction and internal fixation management remains a standard treatment, yet the functional outcomes and associated factors in resource-limited settings like Ethiopia remain underexplored. Objective: Aim of this study is to assess functional outcomes and associated factors of distal humerus fracture patients treated with open reduction and internal fixation at Addis Ababa Burn, emergency and Trauma Hospital (AaBET) Hospital from January 2019 to January 2025 Method: The study was conducted at Addis Ababa Burn, Trauma and Emergency (AaBET) hospital an affiliate of St. Paul’s Millennium Medical College from January 2019 to January 2025. The Study had utilized Hospital based retrospective cross-sectional design by reviewing data on available medical records and interviewing patients on phone call. The study was conducted from October 2025 to December 2025. The data were collected using structured questionnaire, then entered and analyzed using SPSS version 27. Logistic regression (binary and multiple) analyses were used to determine the effect of factors on the outcome variable. Result: A total of 62 patients were included. Favorable functional outcome (MEPS ≥75) was achieved in 41 patients (66.1%; 95% CI: 54%–77%). The mean MEPS was 78.4 ± 15.2, and the mean DASH score was 34.8 ± 22.5. Open fractures (AOR = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.02–0.58; p = 0.010) and presence of postoperative complications (AOR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.03–0.94; p = 0.042) were independently associated with poorer functional outcomes. Conclusion: Two thirds of patients achieved good to excellent functional outcomes following ORIF of distal humerus fractures; however, open fracture type and postoperative complications were significant predictors of poor outcome. Strengthening perioperative management, infection prevention, and early rehabilitation is essential to improve functional recovery. Keyword: Distal humerus, Open Reduction and Internal Fixation, Outcome