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AIMS: The PROximal Fracture of the Humerus Evaluation by Randomisation (PROFHER) randomised clinical trial compared the operative and non-operative treatment of adults with a displaced fracture of the proximal humerus involving the surgical neck. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term treatment effects beyond the two-year follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of the original 250 trial participants, 176 consented to extended follow-up and were sent postal questionnaires at three, four and five years after recruitment to the trial. The Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS; the primary outcome), EuroQol 5D-3L (EQ-5D-3L), and any recent shoulder operations and fracture data were collected. Statistical and economic analyses, consistent with those of the main trial were applied. RESULTS: OSS data were available for 164, 155 and 149 participants at three, four and five years, respectively. There were no statistically or clinically significant differences between operative and non-operative treatment at each follow-up point. No participant had secondary shoulder surgery for a new complication. Analyses of EQ-5D-3L data showed no significant between-group differences in quality of life over time. CONCLUSION: These results confirm that the main findings of the PROFHER trial over two years are unchanged at five years. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:383-92.

Original publication

DOI

10.1302/0301-620X.99B3.BJJ-2016-1028

Type

Journal article

Journal

Bone joint j

Publication Date

03/2017

Volume

99-B

Pages

383 - 392

Keywords

Long-term follow-up, Operative versus non-operative treatment, Proximal humeral fractures, Randomised controlled trial, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Fracture Fixation, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Recovery of Function, Shoulder Fractures, Shoulder Joint, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult