title: Admission for osteoporotic pelvic fractures and predictors of length of hospital stay, mortality and loss of independence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the implications of osteoporotic pelvic fractures in older patients in terms of mortality, length of hospital stay and independent living.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 110 consecutive patients, aged over 60 years, with osteoporotic pelvic fractures admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, between July 2009 and March 2011. Demographic and routine clinical data were collected prospectively until date of discharge, and vital status data were collected up to 3 months post-fracture. These data were analysed to assess associations with outcomes such as length of hospital stay, mortality and loss of independence (according to changes in residential housing status).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen patients died either in hospital, or within 3 months of fracture. Length of hospital stay was associated with age (b=0.77 days per year, 95% CI 0.001, 1.54, P=0.05) and was significantly longer in those with acute medical problems on admission (b=21.2 days, 95% CI 8.72, 33.73, P=0.001). The odds of changing from independent to institutionalised accommodation were significantly associated with age (OR 1.08 per year, 95% CI 1.01, 1.04, P=0.007) and length of hospital stay (OR 1.12 per day, 95% CI 1.01, 1.04, P=0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In-hospital mortality rates in this patient group are similar to those seen for hip fractures, yet pelvic fractures in older people receive relatively little in the way of attention or funding. Guidelines to improve the management of such fractures in older people are important to improve care while in hospital, reduce time spent in hospital and reduce the impact on independent living.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Sir James Spence Institute Royal Victoria Infirmary,Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marrinan
authors.affiliation: Care of the Elderly, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, UK.
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Sir James Spence Institute Royal Victoria Infirmary,Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK.
authors.forename: Xue Yan
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Sir James Spence Institute Royal Victoria Infirmary,Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK.
authors.forename: Sheena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Sir James Spence Institute Royal Victoria Infirmary,Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK.
authors.forename: Yousif
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shanshal
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D007902:Length of Stay; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: mortality; older people; osteoporosis; pelvic fracture