Developing a core outcome set for periprosthetic femoral fractures

A femoral fracture is a serious complication that can affect some people after they have a hip or knee replaced. This is known as a periprosthetic femoral fracture (PPFF).

Managing these fractures is difficult and can involve some technically complicated surgery. The fracture can have a big impact on patients because it’s associated with a loss of independence as well as a risk of death.

A core outcome set is a standardised set of outcomes that should be measured and reported, as a minimum, in all clinical trials in specific areas of health or health care. They are developed with the help of key stakeholders (including patients) as this helps identify the most clinically relevant outcomes. To date a core outcome set for PPFF has not been developed.

Project aims

The aim of this project is to develop a core outcome set for PPFF that can be used to improve and standardise outcome assessment in phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials.

What we hope to achieve

PPFF is an under-researched area. Both the British Hip Society and the British Association for Surgery of the Knee have highlighted that more research into PPFF is needed.

Developing a core outcome set will improve how outcomes are assessed in early and later phase trials.

This project is being led by the Exeter Biomedical Research Centre.