Severity of depression risk predicts health outcomes and recovery following surgery for hip-fractured elders.
This study examined how depression risk interfaces with health outcomes of hip-fractured patients during the first year after hospital discharge. Physical function recovery and health outcome trajectories were much poorer for hip-fractured elders with persistent depression risk than for those with transitory and no risk for depression.


BACKGROUND
This study examined how depression risk interfaces with the trajectories of physical activities and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among hip-fractured elderly patients during the first 12 months after hospital discharge.


METHODS
Based on 12-month scores for the Chinese version of Geriatric Depression Scale, patients over age 60 years (N = 147) were classified as (a) at persistent risk for depression, (b) at transitory risk for depression, and (c) at no risk for depression. Outcomes were measured by the Chinese Barthel Index and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form, Taiwan version, and analyzed by the generalized estimating equations approach.


RESULTS
Patients who were at persistent risk for depression (n = 46, 31.3%) had much less chance of recovering activities of daily living (OR = 0.16, CI = 0.06-0.42) and walking ability (OR = 0.09, CI = 0.04-0.21) than patients at no risk for depression (n = 36, 24.5%). The trajectories of SF-36 scores for the physical and mental health summary scales were significantly different among the three depression groups; those "at persistent risk for depression" were the poorest and those "at no risk for depression" were the best.


CONCLUSIONS
These results may provide a reference for developing timely assessments and interventions for hip-fractured elders at risk of depression.
Shyu
Y-I L
YI
School of Nursing, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hua 1st Road, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan. yeaing@mail.cgu.edu.tw
Chen
M-C
MC
Cheng
H-S
HS
Deng
H-C
HC
Liang
J
J
Wu
C-C
CC
Tsai
W-C
WC
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome