Prognostic factors in patients surgically treated after hip fracture

Abstract

Introduction: By the impact of demographic changes and as the result of the ‘incorrect’ lifestyles pursued in developed societies, osteoporosis has become a serious social problem. Hip fracture is the most serious complication of osteoporosis and is associated with high mortality rates or permanent health impairment. The goal of this study was an evaluation of the impact of selected socio-economic factors and of the time period from fracture to surgical intervention on the patient’s prognosis.
Material and methods: A group of 148 patients (114 women and 34 men) participated in the study, their age varying between 48 and 93 years, all of them after surgical treatment of hip fracture. A questionnaire study was carried out, encompassing all the participants.
Results: During a year-long follow up, thirty-four (34) patients, i.e. 23% of the whole group, passed away. Further comparisons were performed between two groups: Group A — 114 patients, who survived the follow up period, and Group B — those who died. The mean age of patients was 76.3 and 82.6 years in Groups A and B, respectively (p < 0.05). In Group A, 79.8% of the patients declared full self-dependence prior to fracture episode vs. 44.1% of the patients in Group B (p < 0.05). Regular physical activity — in various forms — was undertaken by 39.5% of the patients in Group A and 11.8% of those in Group B (p < 0.05). Active ways of spending outdoor time were reported by 32.5% of the patients in Group A vs. 14.7% in Group B (p < 0.05). Fracture unfavourably influenced the material situation of affected patients. No relationship was found between the time period from fracture to surgery and the patient’s prognosis.
Conclusions:
1. Despite the currently available surgical treatment methods, hip fracture is still laden with a high risk of fatality.
2. High physical activity, especially outdoors, self-dependence and having a partner positively influence patient’s prognosis after hip fracture. 3. Hip fracture negatively changes the material situation of patients. 4. The length of time from hip fracture to operation has no effect on the survival rate. (Endokrynol Pol 2013; 64 (2): 108–113)