Assessing post-operative dietary intake in older adult hip fracture patients: An observational study protocol

Background: Fragility fractures of the hip are a common injury in England. Meeting post-operative resting energy expenditure (REE) needs are fundamental to recovery from trauma that with greater nutritional intake, post-operative complications and length of stay can be reduced. However, dietary intake can be overlooked when the goal is prompt surgery to reduce pain and lower the risks of mortality at 30 days and 1 year. Aims: The primary aim of this study is to observe if post-operative dietary energy intake (kJ/kcal) of older adult hip fracture patients meets their post-operative REE needs to mobilise post-surgery. Secondly, we aim to explore if there is a relationship between length of stay, comorbidity and post-operative complications in relation to dietary intake. Methods and analysis: Using a weighed food method, all food and fluid intake from the day of surgery until post-operative day three inclusive will be recorded for a cohort of 30 older adult hip fracture patients. Dietary intake per day will be compared against REE and macronutrient requirements. Baseline sociodemographic and medical history data will be obtained, along with admission data such as malnutrition screening and type of fracture. Regression analysis will be used to explore associations between dietary intake, post-operative complications and length of stay where indicated and to identify if there are areas for further dietary development in this specific patient group. Ethics and dissemination: The Health Research Authority approved this study (REC 24/NE/0034). Findings will be published in peer-reviewed, scientific journals and presented at academic conferences.