One year follow up of patients with fracture of the proximal femur.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain 6 month and 1 year outcomes for all people over age 60 years admitted in one year to a base hospital with fracture of the proximal femur.


METHODS
Telephone follow up of all patients admitted with fracture of the proximal femur and administration of a basic, Barthel, and extended, Nottingham, index of activities of daily living.


RESULTS
Six month and 1 year mortality was 16 and 28%. Those people living in an institution at the time of fracture and those with higher prefracture dependency had a higher mortality. Reoperation rate at one year was 9%. Average dependency increased at 6 months and 1 year compared to prefracture dependency. Forty eight percent of survivors regained their prefracture Barthel score and 28% their prefracture Nottingham score at 1 year.


CONCLUSIONS
Mortality is similar to other studies. The high levels of permanent disability following fracture suggest on going home support is needed and that domiciliary rehabilitation within the first 6 months of discharge may be needed.
Weatherall
M
M
Department for the Elderly, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008875:Middle Aged