Parkinson's disease and hip fractures: Are complications and mortality rates increased?

The aim of this study was to assess patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) in comparison with patients without PD for the treatment of hip fractures. Therefore, we performed a mono-centre study including 145 patients with PD and 2135 consecutive patients without PD as a concurrent group (C).

For analysis, we used our database, in which any type of hip fracture was enrolled. The study period ranged from 2007 to 2017, and the patient age was ≥ 60 years. Overall, 10 variables were included. The primary measures were operations for any reason, infection, dislocation, failure, and mortality. The secondary outcome was any de novo fracture based on a new fall. The follow-up period for every living patient was 2 years after the operation. Any missing data were retrospectively evaluated via telephone. The hypothesis was no effect between the two groups.

No significant differences were observed regarding revision (p = 0.348), infection (p = 0.207), dislocation (p = 0.785), failure of internal fixation (p = 0.368), failure of replacement (p = 0.174), and de novo fractures (p = 0.287). However, patients with PD sustained a contralateral hip fracture significantly more often (p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated no effects up to 2 years after the operation (log rank 0.259).

Compared to a concurrent group, patients with PD demonstrated no more complications and similar mortality rates within 2 years after surgery. The rate of dislocation after hip replacement was also not increased. A contralateral hip fracture was the most common de novo fracture in PD. Further studies should investigate measures reducing the risk for any new falls in PD.