Predicting mortality following hip fracture: an analysis of comorbidities and complications

Hip fracture is common in the geriatric population. These patients have multiple comorbidities that complicate treatment and recovery such that poor functional outcomes often result. Since functional outcomes are associated with comorbidities and complications it is important to define the contributing factors.

To describe comorbidities common to geriatric hip fracture patients and determine predictability of complications and mortality based on comorbidities.

Data in this study were sourced from information prospectively collected for evaluation of a new orthogeriatric service established at a University Teaching Hospital over the period of 1 year.

The median age was 82 years (range 54-100) and 73 % were female (N = 206). Common comorbidities included hypertension (51 %), dementia (28 %), osteoporosis (19 %), ischaemic heart disease (IHD) (15 %) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (15 %). In predicting 1-year mortality based on comorbidities, the final model included age, IHD, delay to surgery and explained 26 % of the variability in mortality. Predicting 1-year mortality based on complications, the final model included age and respiratory complications and explained 26 % of the variability in mortality. There was a significant association between having respiratory complications and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p < 0.001) with 63 % of those with respiratory complications having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

This study highlights specific patient comorbidities and medical complications that could be used to guide clinical assessment, management and targeted interventions that improve outcomes in this patient group.