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Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Dependence for basic and instrumental activities of daily living after hip fractures
Jorge González-Zabaleta1, Salvador Pita-Fernandez2, Teresa Seoane-Pillado2
1Modelo Hospital, HM Hospitals, Surbone Clinic, Martinez Salazar Street 17-19, 15011 A Coruña, Spain.
Insights
Hip fracture significantly reduces independence in basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL/IADL). Age is the primary predictor of dependency, while baseline scores on the Barthel and Lawton indices predict recovery.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Geriatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Hip fractures are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults.
- Assessing functional recovery after hip fracture is crucial for patient outcomes.
- Pre-fracture functional status is a key determinant of post-fracture recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate changes in basic activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) after hip fracture.
- To identify predictors of functional dependency and independence post-hip fracture surgery.
Main Methods:
- Prospective follow-up study of 100 hip fracture patients.
- Assessment of Barthel Index (ADL) and Lawton-Brody Index (IADL) at baseline and 90 days post-surgery.
- Multivariate regression analysis incorporating demographic data, comorbidities (Charlson Index), renal function, fracture type, and surgical delay.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of independence in ADL decreased from 38.0% to 15.4% at 90 days.
- Barthel Index scores declined significantly (75.2 to 56.5, p<0.0001).
- Independence in IADL decreased from 11% to 2.2% at 90 days.
- Age was the sole independent predictor of dependency.
- Baseline Barthel and Lawton index scores predicted 90-day functional status.
Conclusions:
- Hip fracture leads to a substantial and significant decline in both basic and instrumental activities of daily living.
- Patient age is a critical factor influencing functional dependency post-hip fracture.
- Pre-fracture functional status, as measured by the Barthel and Lawton indices, is the most significant predictor of recovery.
Abstract:
The objective of the study is to determine basic activities of daily living (Barthel Index) and instrumental activities of daily living (Lawton-Brody Index) before and after hip fracture. Follow-up study of patients (n=100) with hip fracture, operated at Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (Spain). Period January/2009-December/2011. Demographic characteristic of the patients, Charlson Index, Glomerular filtration rate, Barthel index, Lawton index, type of proximal femur fracture and surgical treatment delay were recorded. Multivariate regression was performed. Informed patient consent and ethical review approval were obtained. Before fracture were independent for activities of daily living (ADL) a 38.0%, at 90 days were 15.4%. The Barthel index score decreased from 75.2±28.2 to 56.5±31.8) (p<0.0001). If we consider the age, gender, comorbidity (Charlson index), renal function, fracture type and surgical delay objectify the only independent variable to predict dependency effect is age. If we also consider the Barthel score objectify the variable that significantly modifies that score at 90 days is the baseline value of the index. The prevalence of independence for instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) at the baseline moment is 11% and at 90 days is decreased to 2.2%. There is a decrease in the independence effect in all activities. The variable predictor of independence for all activities after taking into consideration age, sex, comorbidity, fracture type, surgical delay and renal function is the baseline score of the Barthel and Lawton index.
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