Long-term functional outcome after a low-energy hip fracture in elderly patients

Stijn G. C. J. de Joode*, Pishtiwan H. S. Kalmet, Audrey A. A. Fiddelers, Martijn Poeze, Taco J. Blokhuis

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: The incidence of hip fractures is increasing. Elderly patients with a hip fracture frequently present with comorbidities, which are associated with higher mortality rates. Clinical studies regarding long-term functional outcome and mortality in hip fractures are rare. The aim of this study was to analyse the functional outcome and the mortality rate after a follow-up of 5 years in elderly patients with a hip fracture.

Materials and Methods: This combined retrospective and cross-sectional study included patients aged 65years or older with a low energy hip fracture who underwent surgery in the Maastricht University Medical Center+, the Netherlands. Data such as demographics and mortality rates were retrospectively collected and functional outcome (i.e. mobility, pain, housing conditions and quality of life) was assessed by a questionnaire.

Results: Two hundred and sixteen patients were included in this study (mean age 82.2, SD +/- 7.5). No significant differences were found in pain before hip fracture and after 1-year and 5-year follow-ups. Long-term functional outcome deteriorated after a hip fracture, with a significant increase in the use of walking aids (p <0.001), a significant decrease of patients living in a private home (p <0.001), and a low physical quality of life (SF-12 PCS = 27.1). The mortality incidences after 30-day, 1-year and 5-year follow-ups were 7.9%, 37.0% and 69.4%, respectively.

Conclusion: Long-term functional outcome in elderly patients with hip fractures significantly deteriorated, with an increased dependency for mobility and housing conditions and a decreased physical quality of life. In addition, hip fractures are associated with high mortality rates at the 5-year follow-up.

Original languageEnglish
Article number20
Pages (from-to)1-7
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology
Volume20
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Apr 2019

Keywords

  • Hip fracture
  • Long-term functional outcome
  • Mortality incidence
  • Elderly
  • QUALITY-OF-LIFE
  • EXCESS MORTALITY
  • SURVIVAL

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