Do blood transfusions alter anaemic patient's post-op fatigue
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Do blood transfusions alter anaemic patient's post-operative fatigue following fractured neck of femur surgery
IRAS ID
273776
Contact name
Timothy Walsh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 0 days
Research summary
Patients who have surgery for a broken hip often experience blood loss, this means many of these patients become anaemic (low blood count). One treatment for post –operative anaemia is a blood transfusion. However, research and guidelines now suggest a restrictive rather liberal approach to giving blood transfusions. This is due to research showing similar mortality, length of hospital stay infection related outcomes in patients who receive restrictive blood transfusions as to those who receive liberal. However there is very little data on how blood transfusions affect outcomes such as, fatigue and breathlessness, which are common symptoms of anaemia, and may slow recovery. Therefore this study is being undertaken with the aim of gaining more knowledge about fatigue and its relationship with anaemia and blood transfusions in the orthopaedic inpatient post-operative setting. Patient completed questionnaires will be used to assess fatigue and breathlessness.
Patients who are undergoing fractured neck of femur surgery at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, and are inpatients on the orthopaedic wards, within the 4 month period the study will take place may take part. The study will last from the patients enrolment until hospital discharge a or 21 days post-surgery (whichever occurs sooner). Information will be collected from participants electronic health record (TrakCare) throughout, on the day of enrolment, day 2, day 4 and day 6 post operation and at hospital discharge or 21 days post operation (whichever is first). Information in the form of patient completed questionnaires (for fatigue and for breathlessness) and the Barthel index questionnaire will only be completed at 4 points: at enrolment, and then on day 2, 4 and 6 after surgery. The participants activities of daily living (ADLs) will be assessed by the student researcher or delegated member of the research team with the help of the patient's nurse.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
19/SS/0131
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jan 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion