[Functional evaluation of aged with fractures at hospitalization and at home]

Trauma is often related to functional impairment, representing an important social, economic and health issue. This study intended to evaluate the functional independence of aged individuals with fractures, at admission, discharge and after one month from their regressing home. Furthermore, this study also intended to verify the relationship between functional independence and demographic and health variables. Thirty-four aged individuals hospitalized at the Orthopedics and Traumatology Institute of the University of São Paulo Faculty of Medicine were interviewed and submitted to the application of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Among all fractures, 67.6% were femur fractures. The motor and total FIM scores increased at discharge; on the other hand, the total FIM score decreased one month after their returning home. Functional impairment increased with age and also with longer length of stay. Hypothyroidism was related to cognitive impairment, while dementia and depression were related to motor impairment.